Cisco has extended its Cisco Unified Wireless Network with a set of
features called VideoStream that optimizes multimedia performance
over wireless and wired networks. At the same time, the firm
pointed to a showcase installation at the Rochester Institute of
Technology that uses VideoStream to provide a series of advanced
features tailored for the university's 1,100 deaf and
hard-of-hearing students.
The RIT application is built on 3,400 802.11n access points and
Cisco's Wireless Control System. The application also employs 15
Wireless Services Modules. In an interview, David Stiff, product
manager for Cisco's Wireless Networking Business Unit, said the
company has been able to introduce a wide range of networking
options in VideoStream "because we're a wired and wireless
company."
VideoStream optimizes the performance of multimedia over both
wireless and wired networks. The company said VideoStream moves
video over wireless networks while enforcing video priority levels
and resource reservation control. The approach ensures existing
wireless media sessions while additional wireless video streams are
added to the network.
Chris Kozup, senior manager for Cisco's Mobility Solutions unit,
noted that the power of VideoStream and its associated features
enable deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT's National
Institute for the Deaf College to follow classroom presentations,
enabling the students to participate more directly in classroom
experiences. For instance, because of the high quality video, the
students can lip-read more effectively. In addition, students using
laptops and other devices to access the VideoStream-based
application are able to access video relay and transcription
services to view close-captioned lectures, visual signing, and
transcription services in real-time.
Jeanne Casares, RIT's chief information officer, said the Cisco
network "delivers converged data, voice, and video services
anywhere on campus that serves as the foundation to support a
growing number of mobile video and voice applications."
RIT's VideoStream-based network also has benefits for the entire
student and faculty body. Using Cisco's Mobility Services Engine
and Contest-Aware solution, the university's IT personnel can find
the exact location of users in need of support and, if necessary,
identify and mitigate rogue users on the wireless network.
"The ability to deliver video and multimedia applications over the
wireless network -- with the same quality and performance users are
accustomed to receiving via a wired network -- has inherent
challenges," observed Cisco's Ray Smets, who added that VideoStream
technology was developed to deliver real-time visual collaboration
to support new sustainable business practices and help for
distributed workforces. Smets is vice president and general manager
for Cisco's Wireless Networking Business Unit.