====== Conferencing ======

===== General =====
  * CUCM selects an audio or video conference bridge from the MRGL of the conference initiator
  * Software conference bridge supports single-mode conferences, using the G.711 and wideband codec only (no G.729)
  * Some hardware conference bridge supports mixed-mode conferences with participants using different codecs
  * Meet-Me Conference
    * Allocate directory number
  * Basic Ad hoc
    * Only conference originator can add/remove participants
  * Advanced Ad hoc
    * Any participants can add/remove participants
    * Link multiple ad hoc conferences together
<note>Only the conference initiator MRGL need the conference bridge resource. Others don't. This can be used to restrict who can initiate a conference</note>

===== Software Conference Bridge =====
  * Part of Cisco IP Voice Media Streaming Application
  * Unicast audio streams only
  * Support G.711 a-law, G.711 u-law or wideband audio streams
  * Maximum participants per server 
    * Standalone server = 128
    * Call Manager Service running = 48

^           ^  **Min Participants**  ^  **Max Participants**  ^  **Default Participants**  ^
|  Ad Hoc   |  3  |  64   |  4  |
|  Meet-Me  |  1  |  128  |  4  |

===== Hardware Conference Bridge =====
  * Impact Secure conferencing
    * Session capacity is reduced by half
    * Number of conferees per session is the same as it was in nonsecure conference

^  **CUCM Resource Type**  ^  **Hardwares**  ^  **Max Participants**  ^  **Participants Per Confernce**  ^  **Comments**  ^
|  Cisco Conference Bridge Hardware  |  WS-X6608-T1, \\ WS-X6608-E1  |  32 per port \\ 256 per module  |  6  | End of Sale |
|  Cisco IOS Conference Bridge  |  NM-HDV  |  60 per NM  |  6  | Uses Older PVDM technology |
|  Cisco Confernce Bridge (WS-SVC-CMM)  |  WS-SVC=CMM  |  64 per port adapter\\ 256 per module  |  8  | Replaced WS-X6608-T1/E1  |
|  Cisco IOS Enhanced Conference Brdige  |  PVDM2,\\ NM-HD,\\ NM-HDV2  |  64 per DSP\\ NM-HDV2 is limited to 400  |  8  | Replaced older PVDM technology |
|  Cisco Video Conference Bridge (IPVC-35xx)  |  IPVC-35xx  |  |  |  |  

===== Built-in Conference =====
  * Using IP phones built-in resource for 3 ways conference supporting only G.711
  * Can only be invoked by barge function.

===== Intelligent Bridge Selection =====
  * New in CUCMv7
  * If there is one video participant or no video participants, an audio conference bridge from the MRGL is selected
  * If a video conference bridges is need but none is available, an audio conference bridge is allocated.
  * This is enabled by default but can be changed back to previous behaviour where a video conferencing bridge can selected for audio when it has a higher priority in the MRG.
  * Under **CallManager Service Parameters**, the third option below. Setting this to true will revert to previous behaviour
{{cucm-conf1.png|}}
  * The first option, allow a video call to fall back to encrypted audio call if encrypted video call is not supported

===== Configuration Software =====

==== Activate Service ====
{{cucm-conf2.png|}}

==== Service Parameters ====
{{cucm-conf3.png|}}

==== Media Resource Parameters ====
{{cucm-conf4.png|}}

===== Conferencing Hardware =====

==== Add hardware ====
  * Cisco IOS Enhanced Conference Bridge
  * Add bridge name CFG<MAC>. Case sensitive, must matches what's configured on IOS router
  * Device Security Mode: must matches what's configured on IOS router
{{cucm-conf5.png|}}

==== IOS Configuration ====
{{cucm-conf6.png|}}

===== Configuration Meet-Me =====
  * Configure software and hardware conferencing as above
  * Under **Call Routing > Meet-Me Number/Pattern**

<note tip>Meet-me disallows redirected call e.g. CTI RP routed from originating a conference. It does not however forbid it to join the conference</note>

{{cucm-conf7.png|}}

===== Service Parameters =====
  * Suppress MOH to Conference Bridge
    * Default is true
  * Drop Ad Hoc conference
    * Default is never
    * When conference creator leaves
    * When no On-Net parties remain in the conference
  * Advanced Ad Hoc conference Enabled
    * Default is False
    * Allow other participants to add/remove participants using conflist softkey
    * Allow this ad hoc conference to be linked to another ad hoc conference
  * Non-linear Ad Hoc Conference Link Enabled
    * Default is False
    * More than two ad hoc conference can be linked together.
    * Three or more ad hoc conferences to be linked directly to another ad hoc
  * Maximum Ad Hoc Conference
    * Default is 4
    * Maximum participants in an ad hoc
  * Maximum Meet Me Conference
    * Default is 4
    * Maximum unicast parameters
    * Maximum participants in a single meet me conference