Introducing the ZyrOSS Data Collector

The ZyrOSS™ Data Collector for Polycom Products is a cross-platform, Java™-based tool that automatically queries Polycom video and audio MCUs (Multi-point Control Units) for raw usage data and then synthesizes this data into an easy-to-use format. This usage data can be reported and can be published in custom XML and ASCII outputs (delimited and fixed width).

The Collector generates output data in batches, which it numbers sequentially. A batch contains all the conferences collected since the previous batch for a given output configuration was generated. An output batch can include one to four files, depending on (1) the number of data levels selected (see explanation of data levels below) and (2) the format options the user selected during the output configuration. ("Output" refers to a set of properties that define the generation and delivery of output files containing collected and synthesized usage data.)

The Collector collects four levels of configurable data, explained below. (Note that field references have been simplified in some cases. For example, the first table references a Start Time field. The Collector outputs two Start Time fields:  Reserved Start Time and Actual Start Time.)

Connection — Records created for each matching connection and disconnection event that takes place for a participant. For ISDN connections, there is one connection/disconnection event for every channel; for all other types of connections, one per session. This level may be used to rate for number of connections. In the example data output below, Scott may be billed for connecting three times during the conference.

Connection Total — Records created for each group of participant connection records that shares the same participant name, transport type, and speed. This level can be used to rate by total connection time for each type of connection. In the output data below, Scott's connection time over ISDN could be rated differently from his connection time via IP.

Participant — Each field describes a conference participant. This level is used to rate for total connection time for each participant.

Conference — Non-participant information relating to the conference as a whole. The highest data level is useful for analyzing conferences.

(For information on specific fields available at a data level, click on the appropriate link above. For information on configuring output data, see Configuring Outputs. )