NetMeeting 2.1 Resource Kit

This chapter provides detailed instructions for installing and configuring Microsoft® NetMeeting™. You can learn about hardware and software requirements and the one-time startup wizard. Then, you can use the configuration information in this chapter to select options for customizing your NetMeeting environment.

Setup Overview

NetMeeting is a self-extracting executable program that is easy to install and configure. You can download the latest version of NetMeeting for Windows® 95 or Windows NT® 4.0 at no charge from the NetMeeting Web site at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/netmeeting/default.mspx?mfr=true  .

NetMeeting 2.1 is pre-installed on many computers with the Windows OEM Service Release 3 (OSR3). Also, NetMeeting 2.0 is installed automatically with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0; users with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 installed on their computers can upgrade to NetMeeting 2.1.

Installation Requirements

The following sections describe software and hardware requirements for running NetMeeting. Hardware requirements are categorized based on whether you want to use the video, audio, and data conferencing capabilities of NetMeeting.

Software Requirements

NetMeeting is available for both the Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 operating systems. To run a non-English language version of NetMeeting, you should use the same language version of Windows 95 or Windows NT. A future release is planned to support the Apple Macintosh and UNIX operating systems. In addition, support for international communication and conferencing standards enables NetMeeting to interoperate with software products from a variety of industry vendors.

Microsoft NetMeeting does not require Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. However, integration of conferencing functions with Web sites works best with Microsoft Internet Explorer. NetMeeting is currently distributed with Microsoft Internet Explorer on many computers and through the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK). For more information, see "Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit" later in this chapter.

Hardware Requirements

Microsoft provides a recommended hardware configuration for running NetMeeting with data and audio conferencing features only and for running NetMeeting with data, audio, and video features.

Configuration for Data and Audio Conferencing

To use the data and audio features of NetMeeting, your computer must meet the following hardware requirements:

• For Windows 95, a 486/66 computer with 8 MB of RAM (a Pentium processor with at least 12 MB of RAM is recommended) 

• For Windows NT, a 486/66 computer with 16 MB of RAM (a Pentium processor with at least 16 MB of RAM is recommended) 

• 5 MB of free hard-disk space (an additional ~10 MB is needed during installation only to accommodate the initial setup files) 

• 14,400-baud or faster modem, integrated services digital network (ISDN), or local area network (LAN) connection (a fast Internet connection works best) 

• Sound card with microphone and speakers (required for audio support) 

Data-conferencing features of NetMeeting support null modem and TCP/IP connections. For real-time audio conferencing you must use a TCP/IP network, such as the Internet or a corporate LAN.

Configuration for Data, Audio, and Video Conferencing

To use the data, audio, and video features of NetMeeting, your computer must meet the following hardware requirements:

• For Windows 95, a Pentium 90 processor with 16 MB of RAM (a Pentium 133 processor or higher with at least 16 MB of RAM is recommended) 

• For Windows NT, a Pentium 90 processor with 24 MB of RAM (a Pentium 133 processor or higher with at least 32 MB of RAM is recommended) 

• 5 MB of free hard-disk space (an additional ~10 MB is needed during installation only to accommodate the initial setup files) 

• 28,800-baud or faster modem, ISDN, or LAN connection 

• Sound card with microphone and speakers (sound card required for both audio and video support) 

• Video capture card or camera that provides a Video for Windows capture driver (required for video support) 

NetMeeting works with any video card or camera that provides a Video for Windows capture driver. Some video cameras can plug into the parallel port; other cameras require a video capture card installed in your computer. Camcorders can often be plugged into these adapters.

In general, parallel port cameras are less expensive but can be more CPU intensive, yielding decreased video performance. Cameras connected to separate video capture cards typically offer better performance. Also, a black and white camera typically offers better performance than an equivalent color camera, because fewer bits need to be sent across the connection.

Installing NetMeeting

When you download Microsoft NetMeeting, the program is placed on your computer in the form of an executable cabinet file. When you run NetMeeting, the cabinet file performs the following steps:

• Expands files into memory 

• Installs the program into C:\Program Files\NetMeeting or another directory of your choice 

• Creates a shortcut on the Programs menu on the Windows 95 or Windows NT Start menu

If you are running Windows 95, you must restart your computer after installing NetMeeting. If you are running Windows NT, you do not need to restart your computer after installing, because the system files match the files currently installed on the computer.

Uninstalling NetMeeting

You can uninstall Microsoft NetMeeting using the Add/Remove Programs dialog box in Control Panel.

Note It is strongly recommended that you uninstall earlier versions of Microsoft NetMeeting before you install NetMeeting 2.1.

Configuring NetMeeting

When you open NetMeeting for the first time, a one-time startup wizard helps you configure NetMeeting for your desktop. After running the startup wizard, you can access and change NetMeeting configuration information by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking Options.

One-Time Startup Wizard

The startup wizard prompts you to enter information about yourself, the directory server that you want to connect to, and your video preferences. Then, as part of the startup wizard setup, the Audio Tuning Wizard runs so that you can select options to customize the audio features of your sound card, microphone, and speakers.

Note To use NetMeeting, you must complete the startup wizard. If you are using NetMeeting audio features, you must also complete the Audio Tuning Wizard. If you cancel the startup wizard, you will not be able to use NetMeeting until you complete it. However, you can run the startup wizard at a later time.

To run the one-time startup wizard

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click Microsoft NetMeeting. 

   Some of the many features of NetMeeting are described. 

   
   If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page. 

2. Click Next. A list of Directory Server options appears. 

   
   If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page. 

   Choose your Directory Server and options:

   • To automatically log on to a specific server when NetMeeting starts, click the Logon to a Directory Server when NetMeeting starts check box. 

   • Under What Directory Server you would like to use?, type the name of a Directory Server, or select one from the list.

   Click Next. 

3. The following window appears: 

   
   If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page. 

   Type your information for each of the fields, and then click Next. 

   Note First name, last name, and e-mail address are required. 

   The next window shows three categories that may describe your information and how you intend to use NetMeeting. Choose one of the following categories:

   • For personal use (suitable for all ages) 

   • For business use (suitable for all ages) 

   • For adults-only use 

     
     If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page. 

   Note If you set the system policy to "Categorize this User's Information" (under Default User Properties), the category is preset automatically for users, and this screen does not display during the setup process. For more information, see Chapter 5, "System Policies." 

   Click Next. 

   If a sound card is installed in your computer, NetMeeting runs the Audio Tuning Wizard. Follow the instructions on each screen. You will be asked to perform these tasks:

   • Specify the speed of your connection to the network. 

   • If your computer has more than one wave device, select the wave device for NetMeeting Recording and Playback.

   • Check your speakers or headphones to make sure that they are connected and their volume is acceptable. You can play a sample sound, and then adjust the playback volume for your sound card. 

   • Record your voice so that NetMeeting can automatically tune your audio settings. If you do not have a microphone and speakers or you want to tune audio manually, press CTRL+TAB to skip this recording. 

   
   If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page. 

   Click Finish. 

After you run NetMeeting for the first time, you can modify the information you entered about yourself or the directory server, or run the Audio Tuning Wizard again. For more information, see "Calling Tab" and "Audio Tab" later in this chapter.

Setting Options

You can view and update configuration options within NetMeeting by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking Options. The following sections outline the contents of each tab.

Note You can use NetMeeting system policies to set default values for configuration options, such as audio and video settings. For more information about NetMeeting system policies, see Chapter 5, "System Policies."

General Tab

When you click the General tab, the following general options appear.

The following table describes the results of selecting each option.

My Information Tab

When you click the My Information tab, the following personal information options appear.

The following table describes the results of selecting each option.

Calling Tab

When you click the Calling tab, the following directory server and SpeedDial calling options appear.

The following table describes the results of selecting each option.

Audio Tab

When you click the Audio tab, the following audio options appear.

Full-duplex audio

You can choose this option if your sound card and drivers support full-duplex audio. If this option is not available, your sound card supports only half-duplex audio. Half-duplex indicates that your sound card can transmit and receive audio information, but not at the same time; meeting participants must take turns speaking.

Although many sound cards with Windows 95 drivers provide full-duplex audio, only a few sound cards with Windows NT drivers have this same capability. Contact your sound card manufacturer to find out if full-duplex drivers are available.

Note Microsoft provides a quick list of supported sound cards and links to Web sites where you can download updated drivers; for more information, see the NetMeeting Web site at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/netmeeting/default.mspx?mfr=true  .

Auto-gain control

Auto-gain automatically maintains a constant volume by increasing the microphone volume when you speak softly and decreasing the volume when you speak loudly. You do not need to adjust the microphone volume on the NetMeeting main window, because auto-gain chooses the amplification level to optimize tuning for you. NetMeeting automatically enables this option if your sound card supports this feature.

This option works best in an environment with very little background noise. Excessive background noise may cause the microphone volume to decrease, even though you are speaking at a constant volume.

Audio Tuning Wizard

You can choose to run the Audio Tuning Wizard at any time to select your sound card and connection type, and to tune audio volume. If you want to skip the recording for audio volume, press CTRL+TAB. Then, you can set your volume manually on the NetMeeting main window if audio devices are installed.

Note You must select a TCP/IP connection in order to use NetMeeting audio features.

The following table describes the results of selecting each option.

Video Tab

When you click the Video tab, the following video options appear.

Note You must select a TCP/IP connection in order to use NetMeeting video features.

The following table describes the results of selecting each option.

Protocols Tab

When you click the Protocols tab, the following protocol options appear.

Note NetMeeting 2.1 Protocols tab options differ from the options available with NetMeeting 2.0. Modem, Network (IPX), and PictureTel LiveShare protocols are no longer available with NetMeeting 2.1.

The following table describes the results of selecting each option.

MS Internet Explorer Administration Kit

Currently, NetMeeting 2.0 is included as part of the license agreement for distributing Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, which is available through the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit. Future versions of the IEAK will contain NetMeeting 2.1. To get more information about the IEAK or to download a copy of this product, see the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web Site at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/ie/ieak/default.mspx  .

You can use the IEAK to easily create Microsoft Internet Explorer distribution media, which you can customize with start and search pages, news servers, or Favorites lists. With the IEAK, you can also add other Microsoft Internet products, such as NetMeeting, so that you can create one self-installing executable file that contains all of the products you need. This enables you to distribute a Web browser that supports your organization's specific needs and the needs of your users.