Remotely monitoring and troubleshooting a videoconference

A non-transitory computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions for performing a videoconference, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to implement:

• passively monitoring a videoconference call between a plurality of participants at respective participant locations, wherein the videoconference call is performed using a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints at each of the participant locations, and wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more parameters from each of the videoconferencing endpoints;
• in response to detecting values of the one or more parameters from a first videoconferencing endpoint indicating a lack of call quality, invoking an active monitoring program comprised in the first videoconferencing endpoint to actively monitor the videoconference call, thereby generating active monitor data;
• receiving and automatically analyzing the active monitor data to determine at least one problem causing lack of call quality;
• and
• automatically determining and performing at least one action to address the at least one problem.

A non-transitory computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions for performing a videoconference call between a plurality of participants at respective participant locations, wherein the videoconference call is performed using a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints at respective ones of the participant locations, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor of each videoconferencing endpoint to implement:

• sending values of one or more parameters to a server computer during the videoconference call for passive monitoring by the server computer;
• and
• in response to receiving an invocation of an active monitor program comprised in the videoconferencing endpoint from the server computer:
• the active monitor program actively monitoring the videoconference call, thereby generating active monitor data;
• and
• the active monitor program sending the active monitor data to the server computer for analysis, wherein the invocation is in response to the server computer detecting values of the one or more parameters from a first videoconferencing endpoint indicating a lack of call quality, and wherein the active monitor data is useable to determine at least one problem causing lack of call quality.

A computer-implemented method for performing a videoconference, comprising:

• utilizing one or more computers to implement:
• passively monitoring a videoconference call between a plurality of participants at respective participant locations, wherein the videoconference call is performed using a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints at respective ones of the participant locations, and wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more parameters from each of the videoconferencing endpoints;
• in response to detecting values of the one or more parameters from a first videoconferencing endpoint indicating a lack of call quality, invoking an active monitoring program comprised in the first videoconferencing endpoint to actively monitor the videoconference call, thereby generating active monitor data;
• receiving and automatically analyzing the active monitor data to determine at least one problem causing lack of call quality;
• and
• automatically determining and performing at least one action to address the at least one problem.

A system for performing a videoconference call between a plurality of participants at respective participant locations, wherein the videoconference call is performed using a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints at respective ones of the participant locations, the system comprising:

• a server computer, comprising:
• a processor;
• and
• a memory, coupled to the processor;
• and
• a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints, each comprising:
• a respective processor;
• and
• a respective memory, coupled to the respective processor;
• wherein each of the plurality of videoconferencing endpoints is coupled to the server computer over a network;
• wherein the memory of the server computer stores program instructions executable by the processor of the server computer to:
• passively monitor the videoconference call, wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more parameters from each of the videoconferencing endpoints;
• and
• in response to detecting values of the one or more parameters from a first videoconferencing endpoint indicating a lack of call quality, invoke an active monitoring program comprised in a first videoconferencing endpoint of the plurality of videoconferencing endpoints to actively monitor the videoconference call;
• wherein the memory of each of the plurality of videoconferencing endpoints stores program instructions executable by the processor of the videoconferencing endpoint to:
• actively monitor the videoconference call, thereby generating active monitor data;
• and
• send the active monitor data to the server computer for analysis;
• and
• wherein the memory of the server computer further stores program instructions executable by the processor of the server computer to:
• automatically analyze the active monitor data to determine at least one problem causing lack of call quality;
• and
• automatically determine and perform at least one action to address the at least one problem.

A non-transitory computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions for performing a videoconference, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to implement:

• receiving user input invoking active monitoring of a videoconference call between a plurality of participants at respective participant locations, wherein the videoconference call is performed using a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints at each of the participant location;
• in response to said receiving user input, invoking an active monitoring program comprised in the first videoconferencing endpoint to actively monitor the videoconference call, thereby generating active monitor data;
• receiving and automatically analyzing the active monitor data to determine at least one problem causing lack of call quality;
• and
• automatically determining and performing at least one action to address the at least one problem.