Zoom Room Connector service at Cal

A knowledge base article about Zoom Room Connector service at Cal provided by the UC Berkeley IT Service Hub - Knowledge Portal

Let’s define the Zoom Room Connector service at Cal

 What is a Zoom Room Connector?  An audio-visual device that can make a video call to a Room Connector to join a Zoom meeting.  Your site must already have the audio-visual components installed before you can use them to join a Zoom meeting.  Protocols to connect include H.323, SIP, Cloud Connectors and Meeting Connector Controllers.  For a list of compatible equipment, see the Zoom support page at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200110033-H-323-SIPYou may need to consult your Desktop Support resource for configuration assistance.

 

Why would I use a Room Connector? What’s the benefit?  Adding the Zoom Room Connector  service allows you to take advantage of the audio-visual equipment already installed at your site, in  order to share the Zoom screen-share and record features with everyone in the room.  You can use  the Zoom screen-share and record features with everyone in the room without using Room  Connector, but you need to physically attach a cord from your computer to the audio-visual device  (usually an overhead projector).  With a Room Connector you do not have to physically plug a cord   into your computer.

 

How would I know if I have this type of device?  If you have a projector sitting on the table in  your conference room, and you usually just plug that into your laptop when you hold meetings,  then you likely do not need the Room Connector Service.  The Zoom meeting service will be sufficient.  If your conference room has the projector built into the ceiling or wall, then you would  likely benefit from purchasing the Room Connector Service.

 

Who can use it?  Any faculty/staff who have a Zoom Pro account or have access to a SPA (Special  Purpose  Account) which has a Pro account.  The Room Connector service is an add-on service.  Everyone who needs access must be added to a Zoom group.  This is done by sending an email to the Zoom administrators at ccu@berkeley.edu.  For example, if Jane purchases a Room Connector licenses and she wants the other 10 members of her team to also be able to use the Room Connector service (but not at the same time that she's using it), Jane will send the list of 10 people to CCU to be added to the Zoom Room Connector group.

 

What is concurrent use?  When you purchase one Room Connector license, it is your responsibility to ensure you use only one Room Connector port at one time.  Here are some scenarios that might help explain this:

  1. Jane purchases one Room Connector license.  She starts a meeting at 9AM on Monday and uses the room connector port.  She is in compliance.
  2. Jane purchases one Room Connector license. She asks CCU to add John and Paul to have authorization to use Room Connector ports too. Jane starts a meeting at 9AM on Monday and uses the room connector port.  She is in compliance.  Paul also starts at meeting at 9AM on Monday.  Jane is now out of compliance.  She purchased one port and is using 2 ports at the same time.  Jane needs to purchase 2 Room Connector licenses.
  3. Jane purchases one Room Connector license.  She starts a meeting at 9AM on Monday and uses the room connector port.  She is in compliance.  She gives one of the meeting participants the Room Connector IP address and they also use the Room Connector at their location.  Jane is now out of compliance.  She purchased one port and is using 2 ports at the same time.  Jane needs to purchase 2 Room Connector licenses.  

What do I receive when I purchase the Room Connector Service?  When you purchase the  Room Connector Service you purchase the ability to use one of the Room Connector ports.  There  are a few things that you need to understand about the Zoom Room Connector Service before you  purchase it:

  1.  Zoom Room Connector ports are a shared commodity at Cal; you do not purchase a specific port that can be used exclusively by you or your team.  You cannot reserve a Zoom Room Connector. 
  2. You cannot prevent others from using your Room Connector port, since you don't 'own' the port.
  3. Purchasing the service enables you the opportunity to use the Room Connector Service.
  4. It is your responsibility to use only the number of Room Connectors that you purchased.  
  5. You will be able to use the Room Connector port even if the number of in-use ports are higher than the number of purchased licenses.  Telecom is notified of the over-capacity usage and we will contact you to purchase additional Room Connector licenses.
  6. When you purchase a Room Connector, you provide IST Telecom with a list of people who are authorized to use Room Connectors.  IST Telecom will put those people in a Zoom Group that has access to Room Connector ports.  It is your responsibility to notify IST Telecom of changes to this list.
  7. Anyone in that Zoom Group can use the Room Connector ports, at any time.  Additionally, your meeting participants can use the Room Connector ports at their sites.

            How much does it cost?  The Zoom Room Connector is an add-on feature which costs $249.50 per year. It is paid for upon purchase, is prorated with an anniversary date of October of each year.   If you do not cancel the service before October, you will automatically be recharged for the upcoming full year.  There are no refunds for partial-year cancellations.

 

 

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