# Overview
# About TrueConf MCU
TrueConf MCU is a software-based video conferencing server designed for holding multipoint conferences. It provides standard MCU server functionality and ensures integration with SIP/H.323 video conferencing endpoints by Polycom, Cisco and Lifesize, Huawei, and others. TrueConf MCU is also compatible with software video conferencing solutions such as Polycom Real Presence Desktop/Mobile.
So, TrueConf MCU is a software alternative to such solutions as Polycom RMX, Polycom RealPresence Collaboration Server, Cisco Meeting Server, Avaya Scopia, Pexip Meetings, or Poly Clariti.
You can found more information about the features of TrueConf MCU in our webinar:
To use TrueConf MCU, you must have a physical server or a hypervisor that meets the system requirements.
# MCU network scheme
# System requirements
| Basic configuration | Recommended configuration | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4210 CPU @ 2.20GHz | Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6230 CPU @ 2.10GHz |
| CPU sockets | 1 | 2 |
| RAM (DDR4) | 32 GB | 64 Gb or more |
| Effective RAM speed | 2400 MHz | 2933 MHz or higher |
| Peak memory bandwidth | 19200 Mbps | 23464 Mbps or more |
| Disk space | 512 GB (SSD is preferred) | 512 GB or more (SSD is preferred) |
| Network | 1 Mbit/s in both directions for 720p@30fps | 2 Mbit/s in both directions for 1080p@60fps. If a virtual machine or server is used, Ethernet 1 Gbit/s is recommended. |
| Ports | The list of ports that need to be opened for correct operation of TrueConf MCU → | |
| Operating system | Dedicated or virtual Debian 10/11 | |
| Supported hypervisors | Oracle VM VirtualBox, VMware ESXi, KVM, Microsoft® Hyper-V, Xen | |
| Maximum number of participants displayed in the layout for standard and preferred configurations * | ||
| A general layout (1080p) used for all participants | 30 | 64 |
| Individual layouts (1080p) used for all participants | 6 | 15 |
| Individual layouts (720p) used for all participants | 12 | 30 |
| * Testing conducted with H.264 codec used for all participants | ||
Please note that TrueConf MCU can support up to 150 participants.
# Improved performance when working with TrueConf Group
If the TrueConf Group endpoint is connected to TrueConf MCU, the streams sent between them are optimised thanks to the exchange of additional data. For example, if the layout window with the video from the endpoint is made smaller on the MCU, the server will request and receive a video stream with a smaller resolution from the device. This leads to reduced CPU load for the MCU and makes it possible to connect a larger number of TrueConf Group endpoints simultaneously than other hardware endpoints of other vendors.
# Installation
You can download the TrueConf MCU distributive file on our website:
Fill out the registration form and click Download TrueConf MCU. A registration key will be sent to the email address you provided.
When you fill out and submit the form, a new page with instructions will open. Click on the link in the second section to check the full installation guide in our knowledge base. There, you can also download the installation package for your OS.
To install TrueConf MCU, you need to have superuser (root) rights.
# If Internet connection is available
- Update the system packages using the console command:
apt update && apt -y upgrade
2. To start installation, run the following command in the directory with the downloaded distribution:
apt install -yq ./<file_name>.deb
3. The installation of the TrueConf MCU server begins. During installation, click OK to accept the terms of the license agreement.
You may need to install additional dependencies. In this case, run the following command:
apt install -f
Once the dependencies are installed, TrueConf MCU installation will resume.
4. To test TrueConf MCU, run the following command:
systemctl list-units|grep tcmcu
If installation is successful, the status will be active.
# Installation in the private network
When TrueConf MCU is being installed, additional packets (dependencies) are downloaded. So, if the host server does not have access to the Internet, you can configure additional settings for your system. Here is an example of deployment on Debian 10.12.
In addition to TrueConf MCU installation file, you will need to download the full Debian 10 distro from the official repository (opens new window). This distribution includes 3 DVDs with .iso images. You will need to copy these images to a USB drive.
All further operations will require superuser (root) rights.
The instruction below shows how to create folders with certain names, but you can select any names for them.
# Step 1. Copy files to your computer
Connect a USB drive to your server.
You will need to get additional information about the USB drive. To do it, run the following command in the terminal:
fdisk -l
You will see information about all drives. Find out which of the drives is your USB drive. You can do it by checking the disk size. For example, you may need to check information about this disk /dev/sdc1, but in your case it may be /dev/sdb1:
3. Create a folder with the following command:
mkdir /home/$USER/usb/
4. Run the following command to mount the USB drive to the /home/$USER/usb folder:
mount /dev/sdc1 /home/$USER/usb/
5. Create an iso directory:
mkdir /home/$USER/iso
6. Copy data from the USB drive to the /home/$USER/iso/ folder:
cp -r /home/$USER/usb/ /home/$USER/iso/
Copying data may take some time.
# Step 2. Connect OS images as a repository
Then, you will need to mount OS images as a repository:
- Create the directories with the following commands:
mkdir /debian
mkdir /debian/dvd4
mkdir /debian/dvd5
mkdir /debian/dvd6
2. Mount ISO images of the operating system:
mount –o loop /home/$USER/iso/usb/debian-10.12.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso /debian/dvd4
mount –o loop /home/$USER/iso/usb/debian-10.12.0-amd64-DVD-2.iso /debian/dvd5
mount –o loop /home/$USER/iso/usb/debian-10.12.0-amd64-DVD-3.iso /debian/dvd6
3. To make sure that the drive is properly mounted, run the following command:
df -h
4. Open the repository configuration file with the nano editor and make sure that all the lines are commented out:
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
If some of the lines are not commented out, comment them out with the “#” character which should be put the beginning of each line and add the following code at the end of the file:
deb [trusted=yes] file:/debian/dvd4 buster contrib main non-free
deb [trusted=yes] file:/debian/dvd5 buster contrib main non-free
deb [trusted=yes] file:/debian/dvd6 buster contrib main non-free
Save changes with Ctrl+O and close the editor with Ctrl+X. Update the list of packets and make sure that no error occurred during the process:
apt update
# Step 3: TrueConf MCU installation
Since you previously copied deb-package together with OS images, TrueConf MCU installation will be located in the /home/$USER/iso/usb/ path. To install TrueConf MCU via the terminal, run the following command:
apt –f install /home/$USER/iso/usb/<file_name>.deb
To make sure that the server has been started, run the following command:
systemctl list-units | grep tcmcu
# Getting started
TrueConf MCU starts automatically once the video conferencing server is launched. You can connect to the server from a browser using its IP address. You will need to enter your login and password on the authorization page.
Authorization data by default:
Login - admin
Password - admin
After authorization, you will access the TrueConf MCU registration page.
# Online registration
Enter the Registration Key you have just received by email. Press Register to continue.
You will access the TrueConf MCU control panel afterwards:
A button for hiding the sidebar.
Menus in the TrueConf MCU control panel. Each of them is described in the corresponding sections of the document.
A system information widget displaying the level of CPU load, the number of active conferences, and the total number of participants.
Server status. When clicked, this icon opens a pop-up for with buttons for restarting or shutting down TrueConf MCU. It is also possible to shut down the OS where it is running.
The account used to sign in to the control panel. The
button leads to the authorization section.Creating a conference. If at least one conference has been created, a list of conferences will be displayed.
We recommend performing calibration right after installing and activating TrueConf MCU.
# Offline registration
If you operate in a closed network without Internet access or if you failed to activate TrueConf MCU online, after an unsuccessful registration attempt Proceed to offline registration link will appear at the bottom of the page.
Offline registration is available only in the TrueConf MCU full version. If you would like to request a trial version that works without Internet connection, please contact our sales department.
Upon clicking the link, the regoffline.mrg file will be generated automatically. You can also generate it manually by clicking the Create a registration file button. Save the file to a convenient location and click Next.
Send the previously saved file regoffline.mrg to our sales department email address.
You will receive a registration confirmation file in the reply email. Upload it and click Register.
If the activation is successful, you will be automatically redirected to the TrueConf MCU control panel.