FAQ

General - SmartClass

1.	Can I connect any type of platform (software or hardware) on this system?
	Yes. The SmartClass system can be connected to any hardware platform (PC, PowerPC, Mac, SUN, HP, SGI etc.) or any computer operating systems (DOS, Windows, Unix, etc.).
2.	Is it possible to mix Mac and PC computers within the same system?
	No. The hardware signals (video, keyboard and mouse) are different.
3.	Can I connect any type of mouse to the SmartClass system?
	Yes: Serial, PS2, Apple Desktop Bus, HP/IL, SUN, etc.
4.	Can I mix different types of mice within the same system?
	Generally, no. A serial mouse does not use the same hardware signal as a PS2 mouse.
5.	Can I use my own cables to interconnect the interfaces?
	No. Robotel provides you with all the cables you need, terminated and ready to install. We also provide you with low resistance/low capacitance coax cabling which lessens signal loss and significantly increases signal quality.
6.	Is it possible to connect the PC soundcard, an external tape recorder and two headsets at every station?
	Yes. The student will also be able to use the headset to listen or communicate with every device and the teacher station.
7.	If I use the response pad to test my students, are the results kept in a database?
	Yes. You can retrieve, print or export these results to any other Windows-based application.

 

SmartClass IDL

1.	Is SmartClass IDL a software product?
	No. To support real-time interactive performance, a complete SmartClass IDL system includes both hardware and software components. Each classroom is equipped with a SmartClass hardware-based control system (linking all computers in the classroom), and with a desktop videoconferencing unit - only one desktop conferencing unit per site (at the local instructor's station). SmartClass IDL software includes three key components: SCVI - SmartClass Visual Interface provides a simple and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) for monitoring student questions and for controlling student computers; SC3.0 - SmartClass (Version 3.0) provides class management tools for defining which sites, workstation resources and students are participating in each class. SC3.0 also facilitates attendance taking, testing, and student record management; SCDL - SmartClass Distance Learning enables multi-site class control from any local or remote teaching station.
2.	Do I need a videoconferencing card in every workstation?
	No. Only a single desktop video-conferencing card is required at each site. This card is located in the instructor's workstation, (also known as the facilitator station or master station at remote learning centers).
3.	Does SmartClass IDL support all types of workstations?
	SmartClass IDL currently supports workstations running a Microsoft Windows operating system. This includes Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT (both workstation and server).
4.	How many students does SmartClass IDL support?
	SmartClass IDL supports several hundred students. The only technology limitation is the number of student icons that will fit on a large-screen control panel. From a teaching standpoint, however, it is clear that student interactivity will necessarily decrease as class sizes start to grow beyond about 50 students, no matter what the teaching approach.
5.	How many sites does SmartClass IDL support?
	There is no inherent SmartClass limitation to the number of concurrent sites, however, the underlying videoconferencing technology upon which SmartClass builds usually dictates some practical limits. The practical limit today is about 30 sites, but this will vary depending on the data conferencing software (usually Microsoft NetMeeting) and the capabilities of the particular Multipoint Conferencing Unit (MCU) being used.
6.	What network connections do I need between sites?
	SmartClass IDL requires two logical connections between the site initiating the class and each of the remote learning centers: The first for video-conferencing support and the second for remote control. The first connection is for video-conferencing support. It is recommended that this link have an end-to-end dedicated bandwidth of at least 128kbps in each direction. The two connection types most commonly deployed for this link are an ISDN circuit-switched data connection or a TCP/IP packet-switched data connection. Almost any type of physical network can carry this type of signal. The second connection is for remote control. This must be a TCP/IP link. The required bandwidth is under 9.6kbps. Any Intranet or Internet based on TCP/IP can be used. A static IP address is required for each remote learning center.
7.	Can I connect to remote sites using the Internet?
	Yes and No. In most cases, we can use the Internet to carry the SmartClass IDL remote control connection between sites. While it is technically possible to also use the Internet for the videoconferencing link, it is not yet really practical to use the Internet for this purpose. The problem is one of the bandwidth required for professional IDL applications. Such applications, which include two-way video, two-way audio and data sharing, require a minimum end-to-end bandwidth of 128kbps in each direction. Because the Internet is a public network shared by an indeterminable number of users, and having no established rules for bandwidth sharing, it is not possible to guarantee a minimum end-to-end bandwidth, and therefore not possible to guarantee acceptable communications quality between sites.
8.	Can I upgrade my present SmartClass system to IDL?
	Most likely, yes. SmartClass systems are designed to be incrementally expandable from having basic presentation capabilities, to having complete Interactive Distance Learning support. It is always best to check with your local account representative or with the Robotel technical support group to understand exactly what additional hardware and/or software components are required to complete an IDL upgrade.
9.	Can I use my present videoconferencing equipment with SmartClass IDL?
	Most likely, yes. SmartClass IDL uses a standards-based open-systems architecture, which allows it to integrate seamlessly with virtually any type of standards-based videoconferencing equipment. There are two important requirements for successful integration: The local and remote video signals of the video-conferencing equipment will need to be overlaid on the VGA/SVGA output of the instructor's workstation. Desktop conferencing units inherently support this configuration; In order to enable application sharing between sites, the videoconferencing system should support a T.120 data conferencing program such as Microsoft NetMeeting.
10.	How does SmartClass IDL compare with satellite systems?
	SmartClass IDL excels in environments that require a high level of student interactivity. Students using SmartClass IDL have all the basic distance learning capabilities, such as the ability to electronically raise a hand and ask a question. However, SmartClass also affords students and instructors several much more powerful capabilities, including: Full two-way video for face-to-face visual communications; Electronic sharing of computer applications in real time across multiple sites; Learning through a combination of instructor-lead presentations and student self-paced, hands-on interactivity with the computer-based materials being taught. Satellite systems are generally used for reaching a large audience, but with a very simple level of interactivity.
11.	How can an organization cost-justify SmartClass IDL?
	SmartClass clients have reported significant increases in the amount of course material that can be covered in a fixed period of time. Clients have also reported significant increases in the amount of new information retained by students. These are major productivity benefits. In distance learning environments, student and/or instructor travel time is significantly reduced. Reduced travel saves not only direct travel-related expenses, but also - and more importantly - saves opportunity costs. Instructors spend more time instructing and can effectively manage larger classes. Students spend less time away from their jobs and/or other studies. These are major cost benefits. Depending on system usage, positive Return On Investment, (ROI) can be easily achieved within the first year of service.
12.	Do I have to use an MCU when connecting with multiple sites?
	Generally, yes. Two videoconferencing sites can be directly connected together in a point-to-point fashion without the use of an MCU. However, when more than two sites are participating in a conference, some mechanism is required to mix and/or select signals originating from multiple end points and to rebroadcast the resultant audio, video and data signals to all participating sites. Although the standards prescribe two options for this mechanism, MCU's and/or Multicasting, there are few (if any) conferencing equipment manufacturers who are currently supporting a multicasting option. By default, then, an MCU is required.
13.	Does SmartClass IDL work with network firewalls?
	Yes. Both application-level firewalls (proxy servers) and network-level firewalls (packet filters) can be accommodated. It is necessary to enable a bi-directional TCP/IP link between the primary teaching site and each remote classroom. The connection is initiated from the instructor's workstation at the primary teaching site. If using IP-based videoconferencing, it is also necessary to establish a bi-directional TCP/IP link for connecting with off-network H.323 based conferencing end-points. Consult Robotel's technical support group for answers to specific questions.
14.	Can students join the class from their home or desktop?
	Currently, SmartClass IDL is able to economically support single station teaching sites; however, the expense for a single station student site is generally prohibitive. However, Robotel will be introducing a new Remote Student Station product in mid-2001. This will provide economic support for students who will be participating in classes from their homes and/or desktops.

 

USB

1.	Does SmartClass support USB keyboards and mice?
	Yes. The SmartClass workstation interface, (SC2000 I), effective with hardware revision 12.1, now supports an extender option for USB support. The USB extender, which is a separate box connected to the main interface via a short control cable, is known as the SC2000 USB. The SC2000 USB has two independent USB input and output connections for supporting USB keyboards and USB mice. Additionally, all new SmartClass Junction Units, (SC2000 JU-USB), effective with hardware revision 1.1, now support a built-in USB extender circuit. Note that USB support for bridges, (SC2000 Y, SC2000 X98 and SC2000 X252), will be provided within the next few months.
2.	Do all new SmartClass systems support USB?
	Yes and no. As of June 2000, all SmartClass systems equipped with keyboard/mouse switching support an option for USB. This option must be ordered as a separate line item to enable USB support. Systems that are initially installed without the USB option can later be retrofitted.
3.	Can older SmartClass systems be retrofitted with USB support?
	No. It is necessary to swap-out all major SmartClass network building blocks, (SC2000 I and SC2000 I-63 interfaces, SC2000 JU junction units, and/or SC2000 Y, SC2000 X98, and SC2000 X252 bridges), to enable USB Support.
4.	How do I order USB support?
	Junction Units will automatically include USB support. It is necessary to separately order the SC2000 USB extenders for each workstation. This includes the control cable link to the main interface and a CAT-5 extender cable for daisy-chaining the SC2000 USB units. Note that CAT-5 cables will normally have the same length as the corresponding system bus cables. And, just as with system bus cables, it is possible to order CAT-5 plenum cables.
5.	What is the maximum connection distance for USB keyboard/mouse control?
	The USB specifications anticipated connection distances of less than 5 meters, however, Robotel has developed a patented method of extending connection distances up to 1000 feet. The maximum connection distance, however, depends on the type of keyboards and mice being switched and the way they are connected to the SmartClass system. If the keyboard and mouse are simple low-speed USB devices, then the maximum end-to-end connection distance is 1000 feet. If the keyboard includes a built-in USB hub, or if an external hub is used to connect the keyboard and mouse, (hubs being full-speed USB devices), then the maximum connection distance will be limited to 150 feet. See Figure 2 for configuration examples.
6.	How can I tell if my USB peripherals are low-speed or full-speed?
	Generally, devices such as keyboards and mice, which need to exchange only a low volume of data, are manufactured as low-speed devices. Devices such as cameras, printers and scanners, which need to exchange a high volume of data, are manufactured as full-speed devices. USB Hubs, which can act as connection point for any combination of low-speed and full-speed peripherals, are always manufactured as full-speed devices - even if they are only servicing low-speed peripherals. Compound USB devices, such as a keyboard with a built-in USB hub, are also manufactured as full-speed devices. The only exception to this rule (that we have come across), are keyboards which include a PS/2 mouse port. These keyboards are implemented as low-speed devices.
7.	Do I need to configure the SC2000 USB to support low-speed or full-speed devices?
	Yes. There is a set of DIP switches on the SC2000 USB which allow you to independently configure each of the two USB ports for low-speed or full-speed operation. This configuration must match the speed of the devices, which are connected to the ports.
8.	Can USB support be used with other peripherals such as cameras, printers and scanners?
	Not currently. The USB interfaces provided by SmartClass are electrically compatible with any USB peripheral, however, the control software implemented in our controllers is set-up to support concurrent keyboard and mouse switching only.