Main assumption of the project is implementation of videoconferencing system and making it available for research and academical societies. The idea for VC service in PIONIER network is to follow similar, successful solutions in such European countries, as Hungary (NIIF/HUNGARNET), Switzerland (SWITCH) or Czech Republic (CESNET). Central, national MCU and gatekeeper will be cooperating together with set of VC terminals.

Solution based on centrally located MCU is optimal one, since efficient and reliable backbone network PIONIER guarantees connections with very small communication delays between terminals and MCU. This makes videoconferencing with highest quality possible and reliable.

Key technical assumption for implementing videoconferencing infrastructure is H.323 protocol handling with possibility of using voice connections, based on SIP protocol.

The key aspect of the project is to launch video-conferencing service with Full HD (1080p) resolution in PIONIER network. Service is to offer a high quality audio-visual communication for academical and research societies, that are concentrated within PIONIER consortium.

Additional goals of the project are:

• close collaboration of national and international research centers;
• common fruition of projects;
• new tools for various branches of science (e.g. telemedicine);
• support of local governments initiatives, e.g. through better cooperation between cities and communes in Europe and in the world;
• new communication possibilities in emergency situations.

The end result of the project will be complete H.323 infrastructure (installed and operational), as well as completely new service available in PIONIER network. It will be accessible via user-friendly booking interface and advanced management system. The infrastructure will provide reliable communication system, that will base on high quality connections with high resolutions (up to Full HD).

Implementation process is divided into to main parts, which can be developed independently and in parallel in some scope. First part consists mainly of hardware infrastructure installation and configuration. Two server nodes and 22 terminal nodes will be implemented in order to assure highest reliability. All equipment will be directly connected to PIONIER network in metropolitan area network institutions.

The second part of project will focus on design and implementation of management system. Interactive web application will help to book videoconferencing resources and will be part of VC portal. It will contain detailed description of available services and current state of videoconferencing infrastructure development. Server equipment will be directly connected to backbone network with Gigabit Ethernet links. Dedicated power supply and appropriate operating conditions (in air-conditioned server rooms) will be also assured, as well as 24h supervision. Infrastructure will be installed in 22 leading units of PIONIER network, which will also become local centers for VC popularizing and preaching. All installed equipment will follow up-to-the-minute standards defined for H.323 videoconferencing services.

Essential functionality of the system will be point-to-point and point-to-multipoint   videoconferencing. Also implementation of service for equipment management and booking will be accomplished. This will allow to:

• create and book VC room on MCU;
• choose graphical arrangement of remote parties pictures on the screen;
• invite participants;
• restrict VC participants to allowed (invited) ones;
• operate in multilingual environment;
• manage user accounts;
• monitor, control and remotely manage video-conferences.

Most of described functionality will be available via web browser.

Videoconferencing infrastructure will be constructed of hi-tech Full HD devices, which will catch up with high quality of audio-video transmission. Technically advanced equipment, with high resolution and video quality, will create new possibilities of usage in such a challenging scopes, as telemedicine. New quality of communication will be achieved – with cheaper, more reliable and effective connections. Management system will allow end users with appropriate permissions to create VC meeting by themselves - using web interface. This will considerably simplify MCU reservation process. System will also allow to monitor and control the VC infrastructure.