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| Loran Williams Jr. Presentation of a Project Proposal for a Video Streaming System for the Texas Education Telecommunications Network |
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| Unit 2: 4/4/05 - 4/24/05 | |
| Tasks |
Task 1: Determine specific TETN client requirements by conducting phone surveys. [In Progress] Major accomplishments: I continue to receive and document feedback from the stakeholder and site managers. Most responses involve technical functions of the proposed system, but there are some administrative issues too. Even though this task is for the most part completed it will remain "In Progress" until the research phase of my project is finished. Task 2: Gather information about enterprise video streaming solutions that meet the requirements. [In Progress] Major accomplishments: More information about video streaming and digital content delivery systems were collected. Other organizations allowed our office access to their StarBak video streaming system to evaluate its capabilities. Tandberg allowed us to evaluate their Media Processing System (MPS) on site for one day, which is essentially a multipoint control unit (MCU) for videoconferences. Information and views were collected on the Polycom MCU from the Internet, colleagues, and my own personal training and experience. Not much left to do on this task. It will remain open until the research phase of my project is finished too. Task 3: Explore Internet connection alternatives with an ISP. [Completed] Major accomplishments: This was task completed 4-8-2005. Task 4: Research network infrastructure equipment required to support the operation and security of additional equipment and connections. [Completed] Major accomplishments: Cisco provided three options to meet this requirement. After discussions with the stakeholder, the most cost effective option was selected for addition to the RFP. A request for post-installation configuration support will be added too. Task 5: Consider system acceptable use guidelines with the stakeholder and site managers. [In Progress] Major accomplishments: I haven't accomplished much on the acceptable use guidelines this week, choosing to deal with the technical issues instead. I intend to concentrate on this more next week since the other tasks are near completion. Task 6: Conduct research on cost savings resulting from reduced travel expenses. [In Progress] Major accomplishments: As with task 5,
I haven't accomplished much on this yet. The research will be collected
in an SQL database query next week. |
| Decisions | Selecting the network infrastructure option was the decision considered this week. Cisco provided three options: one that met the minimum specification and two that exceeded it. The two that exceeded the specification could position TETN for future growth, but dramatically increased the cost. After presenting this to the stakeholder it was decided to use the minimal option that includes a border router and redundant firewalls. |
| Learning |
I received feedback from Dr. Bender stating that my tracking effort was assisting in completing a successful project. I learned tracking the project helps tie up loose ends from the previous week and helps set everything up for the next week. I see an advantage in using a tracking Web site for future projects to keep stakeholders informed. I continue to receive feedback from technical experts and vendors about essential feature. 2) What resources did you use this week (e.g., people, money, equipment, systems, or software)? Did you add new resources? What was your learning? I have used all my resources again this week, but it's been a little more focused on the technical instead of the administrative side. An Internet2 email list that my stakeholder is part of has turned out to be a great resource. Many video technical center personnel from other universities are on this list and have been through the process of purchasing video equipment. This has provided a lot of valuable learning and insight just by reading their correspondence. 3) What research did you perform this week that was assisting and/or literature based? What is your findings/learning? Research Question: Is there a common set of functions that all video infrastructure equipment supports? What functions are different? (multipoint control units, gateways, gatekeepers) Source: To answer
these questions research and vendor Web sites were used including: Answer: As with the video streaming equipment from last week there are many common and unique features for this equipment. Most required features are the same though, with differences only in system capacity and actual size of the device. Each device has certain proprietary software components that may improve the quality if certain video endpoints are used. Learning: I have a
much better understanding of the video infrastructure equipment that will
be required. I realize that when considering features for the equipment
the video endpoint that will connect must be considered too. Taking better
notes with a dedicated notebook definitely makes it easier to maintain
the weekly tracking Web site. It helps in staying organized on project
tasks through the week too. |
| Indicators |
The second week of this project has gone very well. A second task out of the six was completed. I believe having a thorough project plan completed before the start of the project has had a very positive impact on the process. There are no problems to report. 2) How well did you stick to your project schedule? The project is still ahead of schedule and I still believe the research phase will be completed one week early, which is next week. 3) How prepared are you to conclude your project in Unit 10 as required in this course? I am fully prepared at this time to conclude the project according to plan. 4) How likely is it that you will need to resort to your contingency plan? Everything
is going according to plan and I do not anticipate using my contingency
plan. |