Desktop secure video teleconferencing

A computer readable medium, comprising:

• a computer readable medium storing computer executable program code;
• computer executable program code in the medium which, when executed by a processor, performs the step of receiving at a local control system proximate to a video teleconferencing unit, a user selection of a network to be used for a video conference;
• computer executable program code in the medium which, when executed by a processor, performs the step of selectively maintaining isolation of the video teleconferencing unit from the local control system via an isolation switch;
• computer executable program code in the medium which, when executed by a processor, performs the step of sending a signal from the local control system to a network switch at a network operations center to connect an IP network connection of the video teleconferencing unit to a null connection;
• computer executable program code in the medium which, when executed by a processor, performs the step of receiving permission at the local control system to connect to a control interface of the video teleconferencing unit;
• computer executable program code in the medium which, when executed by a processor, performs the step of data-cleaning the video teleconferencing unit by the local control system and, if necessary, forcing a reboot of the video teleconferencing unit;
• and
• computer executable program code in the medium which, when executed by a processor, performs the step of loading basic network configuration information into the video teleconferencing unit by the local control system, issuing a reboot to the video teleconferencing unit, and disconnecting the local control system from the video teleconferencing unit.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a selection interface in a local control system configured to receive a user selection of a network to be used for a video conference at a video teleconferencing unit proximate to the local control system;
• an isolation switch coupled to the local control system configured to selectively maintain isolation of the video teleconferencing unit from the local control system;
• a processor and a memory configured with program instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes a signal to be sent from the local control system to a network switch at a network operations center to connect an IP network connection of the video teleconferencing unit to a null connection;
• the processor and memory configured to receive permission to connect the local control system to a control interface of the video teleconferencing unit;
• the processor and memory configured with program instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes a data-cleaning to be performed of the video teleconferencing unit and, if necessary, causes forcing a reboot of the video teleconferencing unit;
• and
• the processor and memory configured with program instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes loading basic network configuration information into the video teleconferencing unit, issuing a reboot to the video teleconferencing unit, and disconnecting the local control system from the video teleconferencing unit.

A system, comprising:

• a desktop video teleconferencing (VTC) endpoint located at a desktop, including a desktop VTC unit control interface switchably connected through an isolation switch to a local control system (LCS) proximate to the VTC, the LCS including a user selection interface for selecting a network to be used for a video conference
• a network operations center (NOC), including a fiber network switch (FNS) coupled to the desktop VTC unit over a VTC traffic link, at least one network interface unit, and a campus control system (CCS) switchably connected through an isolation switch to the FNS and coupled to the LCS over a control link;
• at least one configuration server in at least one network coupled to the at least one network interface unit, storing configuration data for each desktop VTC endpoint in the at least one network;
• said LCS sending a selection signal to the CCS when a user selects a new network;
• said CCS sending a select signal to the fiber network switch (FNS) to remove the user's VTC unit from all networks and connect it to a null connection and notifying the LCS that it has permission to connect to the VTC unit;
• said LCS data-cleaning and forcing a reboot of the VTC unit and then loading a minimum network configuration into the VTC unit, issuing a reboot command, and disconnecting from the VTC unit;
• said VTC unit notifying the configuration server in the new network via the traffic link, that it has completed a reboot and now needs to have its configuration completed on the new network;
• said configuration server sending configuration data over the traffic link to the VTC unit and notifying the network interface unit located in the NOC for that new network, that the VTC unit is ready for use;
• and
• said CCS signaling the LCS over the control link that the VTC unit is ready for use.