Cisco CallManager Administration Guide, Release 4.1(3)
Conference Bridge Configuration

Table Of Contents

Conference Bridge Configuration

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Software Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Hardware Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Cisco Video Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Configuration Settings

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters


Conference Bridge Configuration


Conference Bridge for Cisco CallManager, a software or hardware application, allows both ad hoc and Meet-Me voice conferencing. Each conference bridge can host several simultaneous, multiparty conferences.

Both hardware and software conference bridges can be active at the same time. Software and hardware conference devices differ in the number of streams and the types of codec that they support.

Refer to the "Conference Bridges" chapter of the Cisco CallManager System Guide for more information about conference bridges.


Note The hardware model type for Conference Bridge contains a specific Media Access Control (MAC) address and device pool information.



Note Be aware that different conference bridge fields display in Cisco CallManager Administration, depending on the conference bridge type that you choose.


Use the following topics to configure conference bridges:

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Software Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Hardware Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Cisco Video Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Configuration Settings

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Adding a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-5

Meet-Me Number/Pattern Configuration Settings, page 45-8

Updating a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-6

Deleting a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-7

Finding a Conference Bridge

Because you might have several conference bridges in your network, Cisco CallManager lets you locate specific conference bridges on the basis of specific criteria. Use the following procedure to locate conference bridges.


Note During your work in a browser session, Cisco CallManager Administration retains your conference bridge search preferences. If you navigate to other menu items and return to this menu item, Cisco CallManager Administration retains your conference bridge search preferences until you modify your search or close the browser.


Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

The Find and List Conference Bridges window displays. Use the two drop-down list boxes to search for a conference bridge.

Step 2 From the first Find Conference Bridges where drop-down list box, choose one of the following criteria:

Name

Description

Device Pool


Note The criterion that you choose in this drop-down list box specifies how the list of conference bridges that your search generates will be sorted. For example, if you choose Description, the Description column will display as the left column of the results list.


From the second Find Conference Bridges where drop-down list box, choose one of the following criteria:

begins with

contains

ends with

is exactly

is not empty

is empty

Step 3 Specify the appropriate search text, if applicable, and click Find. You can also specify how many items per page to display.


Tip To find all conference bridges that are registered in the database, click Find without entering any search text.


A list of discovered conference bridges displays by

Conference Bridge icon

Conference Bridge name

Description

Device Pool

Status

IP Address


Note You can delete multiple conference bridges from the Find and List Conference Bridges window by checking the check boxes next to the appropriate conference bridges and clicking Delete Selected. You can delete all conference bridges in the window by checking the check box in the Matching records title bar and clicking Delete Selected.


Step 4 From the list of records, click the Conference Bridge icon or name, the Description, or the associated Device Pool that matches your search criteria.

The window displays the conference bridge that you choose.


Related Topics

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Adding a Software Conference Device

This section describes how to add a software conference device. For Conference Bridge hardware configuration, see the "Adding a Hardware Conference Device" section.

Before You Begin

Make sure that the following prerequisites are met before you proceed with the steps:

Make sure that servers are configured. See the "Server Configuration" section.

Make sure that device pools are configured. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Make sure that the Cisco IP Voice Media Streaming Application service is activated on the server. This optional software service runs on a server and allows software conferencing. Refer to the Cisco CallManager Serviceability Administration Guide for more information.

Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

Step 2 In the upper, right corner of the window, click the Add a New Conference Bridge link.

The Conference Bridge Configuration window displays.

Step 3 Enter the appropriate settings as described in Table 32-1.

Step 4 Click Insert.

Step 5 Click OK.

The window refreshes and shows the information, including the status, for the device that you just added.

Step 6 To reset the conference bridge device and apply your changes, click the Reset button.

A message displays to state that this action resets the conference bridge device.

Step 7 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Software Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Software Conference Devices, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Software Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Table 32-1 describes the software conference bridge configuration settings.

Table 32-1 Software Conference Bridge Configuration Settings 

Field
Description

Conference Bridge Type

Choose Cisco Conference Bridge Software.

For a description of this type, refer to the "Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration" section on page 21-6.

Host Server

Choose a host server that contains the Cisco IP Voice Media Streaming Application service that you want to use.

If the server that you want to use does not appear in the drop-down list box, you must use Cisco CallManager Serviceability to activate the Cisco IP Voice Media Streaming Application service on that server.

Tip A server can only use one software conference bridge.

Conference Bridge Name

Enter a name in this required field for the conference device, up to 15 alphanumeric characters.

Note If the specified device name is longer than 15 characters, the device cannot successfully register with the Cisco CallManager.

Description

Enter a description for the software conference device.

Device Pool

Choose a device pool that has the highest priority within the Cisco CallManager group that you are using or choose Default.

Location

Choose the appropriate location for this conference bridge. The location specifies the total bandwidth that is available for calls to and from this location. A location setting of None means that the locations feature does not keep track of the bandwidth that this conference bridge consumes.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating a Conference Device

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Software Conference Devices, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

This section describes how to add a hardware conference device. For Conference Bridge software configuration, see the "Adding a Software Conference Device" section.

Before You Begin

Configure the Device pools. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

Step 2 In the upper, right corner of the window, click the Add a New Conference Bridge link.

The Conference Bridge Configuration window displays.

Step 3 Enter the appropriate settings as described in Table 32-2.

Step 4 Click Insert.

Step 5 Click OK.

The window refreshes and displays the conference device that you just added. The device should appear in the list on the left side of the window.

Step 6 To reset the conference bridge device and apply your changes, click the Reset button.

A message displays that states that this action resets the conference bridge device.

Step 7 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Hardware Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Updating a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-6

Adding a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-5

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Software Conference Devices, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Hardware Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Table 32-2 describes the hardware conference bridge configuration settings.

Table 32-2 Hardware Conference Bridge Configuration Settings 

Field
Description

Conference Bridge Type

Choose Cisco Conference Bridge Hardware.

For a description of this type, refer to the "Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration" section on page 21-6.

MAC Address

Enter a unique device MAC address in this required field. MAC addresses comprise 12 hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F).

Example

1231123245AB

Description

This field automatically generates from the MAC address that you provide.

Device Pool

Choose a device pool that has the highest priority within the Cisco CallManager group that you are using or choose Default.

Location

Choose the appropriate location for this conference bridge. The location specifies the total bandwidth that is available for calls to and from this location. A location setting of None means that the locations feature does not keep track of the bandwidth that this conference bridge consumes.

Special Load Information

Enter any special load information or leave blank to use default.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Hardware Conference Devices, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

This section describes how to add a Cisco IOS conference device.

Before You Begin

Configure the device pools. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

Step 2 In the upper, right corner of the window, click the Add a New Conference Bridge link.

The Conference Bridge Configuration window displays.

Step 3 Enter the appropriate settings as described in Table 32-3.

Step 4 Click Insert.

Step 5 Click OK.

The window refreshes and displays the conference device that you just added. The device should appear in the list on the left side of the window.

Step 6 To reset the conference bridge device and apply your changes, click the Reset button.

A message displays that states that this action resets the conference bridge device.

Step 7 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Updating a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-6

Deleting a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-7

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Table 32-3 describes the Cisco IOS conference bridge configuration settings.

Table 32-3 Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Configuration Settings 

Field
Description

Conference Bridge Type

Choose Cisco IOS Conference Bridge or Cisco IOS Enhanced Conference Bridge.

For a description of these types, refer to the "Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration" section on page 21-6.

Conference Bridge Name

Enter the same name that exists in the gateway Command Line Interface (CLI).

Description

This field automatically generates from the conference bridge name that you provide.

Device Pool

Choose a device pool or choose Default.

Location

Choose the appropriate location for this conference bridge. The location specifies the total bandwidth that is available for calls to and from this location. A location setting of None means that the locations feature does not keep track of the bandwidth that this conference bridge consumes.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

This section describes how to add a Cisco video conference bridge device.

Before You Begin

Configure the device pools. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

Step 2 In the upper, right corner of the window, click the Add a New Conference Bridge link.

The Conference Bridge Configuration window displays.

Step 3 Enter the appropriate settings as described in Table 32-4.

Step 4 Click Insert.

Step 5 Click OK.

The window refreshes and displays the conference device that you just added. The device should appear in the list on the left side of the window.

Step 6 To reset the conference bridge device and apply your changes, click the Reset button.

A message displays that states that this action resets the conference bridge device.

Step 7 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Cisco Video Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Cisco IP/VC 3511 MCU and Cisco IP/VC 3540 MCU Module Administrator Guide

Cisco Video Conference Bridge Configuration Settings

Table 32-4 describes the Cisco video conference bridge configuration settings.

Table 32-4 Cisco Video Conference Bridge Configuration Settings 

Field
Description

Conference Bridge Type

Choose Cisco Video Conference Bridge (IPVC-35xx).

For a description of this type, refer to the "Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration" section on page 21-6.

MAC Address

Enter a unique device MAC address in this required field. MAC addresses comprise 12 hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F).

Example

1231123245AB

Description

This field automatically generates from the conference bridge name that you provide.

Device Pool

Choose a device pool or choose Default.

Location

Choose the appropriate location for this conference bridge. The location specifies the total bandwidth that is available for calls to and from this location. A location setting of None means that the locations feature does not keep track of the bandwidth that this conference bridge consumes.

Product-Specific Configuration

Model-specific configuration fields defined by the device manufacturer

The device manufacturer specifies the model-specific fields under product-specific configuration. Because they are dynamically configured, they can change without notice.

To view field descriptions and help for product-specific configuration items, click the "i" information icon to the right of the Product Specific Configuration heading to display help in a popup dialog box.

If you need more information, refer to the documentation for the specific device that you are configuring or contact the manufacturer.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Cisco IP/VC 3511 MCU and Cisco IP/VC 3540 MCU Module Administrator Guide

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

This section describes how to add a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) device.

Before You Begin

Configure the device pools. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

Step 2 In the upper, right corner of the window, click the Add a New Conference Bridge link.

The Conference Bridge Configuration window displays.

Step 3 Enter the appropriate settings as described in Table 32-5.

Step 4 Click Insert.

Step 5 Click OK.

The window refreshes and displays the conference device that you just added. The device should appear in the list on the left side of the window.

Step 6 To reset the conference bridge device and apply your changes, click the Reset button.

A message displays that states that this action resets the conference bridge device.

Step 7 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Configuration Settings

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Cisco IP/VC 3511 MCU and Cisco IP/VC 3540 MCU Module Administrator Guide

Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Configuration Settings

Table 32-5 describes the Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) configuration settings.

Table 32-5 Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Configuration Settings 

Field
Description

Conference Bridge Type

Choose Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM).

For a description of this type, refer to the "Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration" section on page 21-6.

Conference Bridge Name

Leave this field blank. The value for this field automatically generates from the MAC address and subunit values that you provide.

Description

Enter a description (up to 50 characters) or leave blank to generate automatically from the MAC address that you provide.

MAC Address

Enter a unique device MAC address in this required field. MAC addresses comprise 12 hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F).

Example

1231123245AB

Subunit

Choose a the value for the daughter card for a given slot on the Communication Media Module card from the drop-down list box.

Device Pool

Choose a device pool or choose Default.

Location

Choose the appropriate location for this conference bridge. The location specifies the total bandwidth that is available for calls to and from this location. A location setting of None means that the locations feature does not keep track of the bandwidth that this conference bridge consumes.

Maximum Capacity

Choose the maximum number of streams for a given service on a daughter card. Possible values include 32, 64, 96, and 128 streams. Ensure that each daughter card has as many ports as the value that you choose.

Product-Specific Configuration

Model-specific configuration fields defined by the device manufacturer

To view field descriptions and help for product-specific configuration items, click the "i" information icon to the right of the Product Specific Configuration heading to display help in a popup dialog box.

If you need more information, refer to the documentation for the specific device that you are configuring or contact the manufacturer.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Conference Bridge Types in Cisco CallManager Administration, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Cisco IP/VC 3511 MCU and Cisco IP/VC 3540 MCU Module Administrator Guide

Updating a Conference Device

This section describes how to update a Conference Device.

Before You Begin

Make sure that the following prerequisites are met before you proceed with the steps:

Configure the servers. See the "Server Configuration" section.

Configure the device pools. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Configure the Conference device. See the "Adding a Software Conference Device" section.

For software conference bridges, activate the Cisco IP Voice Media Streaming Application service. Refer to the Cisco CallManager Serviceability Administration Guide.

Procedure


Step 1 Locate the conference bridge by using the procedure in the "Finding a Conference Bridge" section.

Step 2 Click the conference bridge that you want to update.

Step 3 Update the appropriate settings as described in Table 32-1, Table 32-2, or Table 32-3.

Step 4 When you have completed your changes, click Update.

A message states that the changes take effect when you reset the conference bridge.

Step 5 Click OK.

Step 6 To reset the conference bridge device, click the Reset button.

A message displays that states that this action resets the conference bridge device.

Step 7 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Updating a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-6

Deleting a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-7

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Deleting a Conference Device

This section describes how to delete a Conference Device.

Before You Begin

You cannot delete the last device that is in a Media Resource Group. To find out which media resource groups are using the conference device, click the Dependency Records link from the Conference Bridge Configuration window. If the dependency records are not enabled for the system, the dependency records summary window displays a message. For more information about dependency records, see the "Accessing Dependency Records" section on page A-3. If you try to delete a conference device that is in use, Cisco CallManager displays a warning message. If you try to delete the last device, Cisco CallManager displays a second error message and the device will not get deleted.

Before deleting a conference bridge that is currently in use and is the last device in the Media Resource Group, you must perform either or both of the following tasks:

Assign a different conference bridge to the media resource groups that are using the conference bridge that you want to delete. See the "Deleting a Media Resource Group" section on page 37-7 section.

Delete the media resource groups that are using the conference bridge that you want to delete. See the "Deleting a Media Resource Group" section on page 37-7 section.

Procedure


Step 1 Locate the conference bridge by using the procedure in the "Finding a Conference Bridge" section.

Step 2 Click the conference bridge that you want to delete.

Step 3 Click Delete.

A message displays the following warning:

You are about to permanently delete this Conference Bridge. This action cannot be undone.

Continue?

Step 4 To delete the conference device, click OK.

If this is the last device in the Media Resource Group, a second message displays and you cannot delete the conference bridge.

Step 5 Click OK.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

Updating a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-6

Deleting a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-7

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide

Updating Conference Bridge Parameters

This section describes how to update conference bridge parameters.


Note Cisco CallManager deletes the conference bridge service parameters if you deactivate the Cisco IP Voice Media Streaming Application service. If you activate the service after deactivating it, Cisco CallManager sets the service parameters to their default values.


Before You Begin

Make sure that the following prerequisites are met before you proceed with the steps:

Configure the servers. See the "Server Configuration" section.

Configure the device pools. See the "Device Pool Configuration" section.

Configure Cisco CallManager. See the "Cisco CallManager Configuration" section.

Procedure


Step 1 Choose Service > Media Resource > Conference Bridge.

Step 2 From the top, right corner of the window, click Conference Bridge Parameters.

The maximum number of users that are configured for both an ad hoc conference and a Meet-Me conference using Unicast appears under the Conference Bridge Parameters heading.

Step 3 Change the maximum number of users accordingly and click Update.


Related Topics

Finding a Conference Bridge

Adding a Software Conference Device

Adding a Hardware Conference Device

Adding a Cisco IOS Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Video Conference Bridge Device

Adding a Cisco Conference Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM) Device

Updating a Conference Device

Deleting a Conference Device

Updating a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-6

Deleting a Meet-Me Number/Pattern, page 45-7

Conference Bridges, Cisco CallManager System Guide