Scope of functions
The web conferencing service Cisco Webex offers you:
- Video, audio and web conferences
- Usage via conference system, web browser or (smartphone) app
- Chat and group work via Webex App
- Break-out sessions in Webex Meetings
You can also use the video conferencing services provided by the National Research and Education Network (DFNconf), which are based on Pexip and Adobe Connect.
Frequently asked questions
If problems occur when using Webex, you can find out here whether Cisco Webex is currently experiencing problems:
https://status.webex.com
It is important that you use not only a good microphone, but also headphones or earphones to avoid annoying echo effects.
Due to the current situation, there are delivery bottlenecks and large price differences between suppliers of video conferencing accessories. Basically any headset and external microphone is better than the one built into your laptop or webcam.
For web conferencing, cheap headsets are more than sufficient; you may even have received one together with your smartphone and can try it out.
However, if you want to ensure audio quality for recordings in addition to web conferencing, take a closer look at the following microphone recommendations:
Headsets
Connection via USB cable
- Sharkoon Skiller SGH2 ~25€
- Patriot Viper Gaming V360 ~35€
Wireless (with USB dongle)
- Logitech G533 Wireless ~75€
- Corsair HS70 ~ 110€
Microphones
subject to availability
- the t.bone SC 420 USB or 440 USB ~ 40-70 EUR
- Marantz Pro MPM 2000 U ~ 89 EUR
- Beyerdynamic Fox ~120€
- Blue yeti ~120€
- HyperX Quadcast ~120€
These microphones are all connected via USB, so you don't need a separatudio interface.
Please note that headphones are still required for video conferences, otherwise feedback may occur during the conference.
The TIK does not rent any equipment. In exceptional cases, such as experimental lectures, we can clarify on a case-by-case basis how we provide extended support. All others should actually be able to switch to their smartphones.
As of May 2021, there is a Webex Client available for Linux.
We have reports of successful use with Debian GNU/Linux (Buster, amd64) and google-chrome (.deb package downloaded and installed directly from Google).
You can find more information here: https://help.webex.com/de-de/9ehuwu/Web-App-Supported-Operating-Systems-and-Browsers
At Webex, only people who want to set up a new meeting and invite others to do so need to register. We have obtained appropriate licenses for all employees and students. The mere participation in a meeting does not require registration at Cisco Webex - external guests are also allowed to participate in a meeting.
To use the service as a conference host, you can register as a Webex moderator in the SIAM self-service.
Employees are automatically assigned a "primary e-mail address" during the hiring process. This is normally your normal e-mail address. With this address you have to register at Webex. In a further step you will be asked for your AC-account (input in the scheme: ac123456) and password.
In some cases employees may have more than one e-mail address (e.g. in case of several part-time jobs at different institutes) or in daily practice they may use another e-mail address than the "primary" one (e.g. if your institute does not use the central exchange service of the TIK but has its own mail server). The login to Webex must always be done with the "primary" e-mail address. If necessary, this can be looked up in the self-service portal (https://siam.uni-stuttgart.de/ in the submenu "Set up e-mail") (if your institute has its own mail server: please make sure - ask the administrator if necessary - that mails to your "primary" e-mail address are actually delivered to you. Among other things, circulars from the central administration are distributed this way).
Students first log in to Webex with their e-mail address in the scheme st123456@stud.uni-stuttgart.de; in a second step they are asked for their account and the corresponding password, entry in the scheme st123456. Students are also required to register once by e-mail to webex-support@tik.uni-stuttgart.de before they can log in for the first time.
We are aware of the bad quality when using vpn.tik.uni-stuttgart.de - we are working on a problem analysis and solution. Please try using the newly established vpn2.tik.uni-stuttgart.de instead.
When working from home: depending on which provider your internet access is from, it can lead to better results if you use Webex without VPN.