DFN News Archiv

Due to technical problems, the upcoming Adobe Connect update at DFN has been postponed.

- 23.02.2024 An update was planned which included important new features for the audio and video quality. A new date will be announced by DFN.

Online training programme

- The Competence Centre for Video Conferencing Services (VCC) is offering a new training series starting on 12.12.2023. It is all centred around the topic 'DFNconf' and will take place virtually.
The topics are: Scenarios and their implementation, troubleshooting audio problems and streaming with the help of Pexip.

26th Workshop Video Conferencing in the Wissenschaftsnetz 7-8. November 2023

- TU Dresden is hosting  the 26th workshop of the Competence Center for Video Conferencing Services on 7-8. November 2023 in Dresden.
Further information on the VCC website.

Extension of the DFN framework agreements for cloud video services

- 04.10.2023 - According to DFN, there is a clear trend towards extending the framework agreements by 24 months from April 2024.

25th Workshop Videoconferencing in the Wissenschaftsnetz 8-9. November 2022

- 21.06.2022 - Preannouncement for the 25th Workshop of the Competence Centre for Videoconferencing Services on 8-9. November 2022 in Dresden.
More information on the website of the VCC.

Mailing lists for the DFNconf videoconferencing framework contract products

- 16.05.2022 - It has recently been possible to subscribe to mailing lists for all products offered. With the support of the individual providers, DFN offers direct help and advice here, and the mailing lists also serve as a platform for exchange between users. For more information, see the DFN page linked here.

DFN announces signed framework agreements

- 14.03.2022 - The portfolio of the DFNconf service is now extended with 8 framework agreements for cloud-based web and video conferencing services. More information and a list of providers can be found on the DFN page linked here.

DFN - Framework agreements for cloud-based web and video conferencing services

- 23.02.2022 - 8 framework agreements will be concluded, with a healthy mix of products from well-known cloud services and from the open source community. The actual licence agreement will then be concluded independently by the respective institutions directly with the providers, with reference to the framework agreement and its conditions.

News on cloud-based video conferencing services.

- 19.01.2022 - Good news from DFN, a call for tenders for framework contracts covering highly scalable cloud-based web and video conferencing tools has been initiated. We will inform you here as soon as there is news and and hope that the future services could then also be offered here.

At the beginning of the pandemic, there were disruptions and outages due to the rapid increase in the use of the services. As the pandemic progressed, DFN was able to stabilise the services and later even expand them further with additional functions (separate videos of lecturer and presentation; livestream with chat).

The use of DFNconf has currently settled at a higher than expected level. The situation with the Adobe Connect service is slightly different. The switch away from Flash Player in Adobe Connect led to problems and instabilities in the app. As a result, many users had to consider alternatives and many of the individual institutions that use the DFN services quickly acquired their own tools as a solution. With the latest version of Adobe Connect, the service is up and running without any problems and without Flash Player.

In the future, the DFNconf service with Pexip will be continued, expanded and further developed. In addition, DFN is in numerous negotiations with providers of alternative tools, especially for use in digital education. Adobe Connect will nevertheless be retained, but will continue to be limited by Adobe's licensing concept (maximum use is limited by a total number).

The DFN Association has agreed to support users in online teaching. If possible, several tools should be offered, whereby DFN wants to regulate the licensing. Future tools should preferably be operated with their own servers. In the case of possible cloud-based services, there must be a satisfactory arrangement for data protection and security. At the time of the workshop (2/3 November), the DFN Association is in negotiations with several providers and developers (including Zoom and Webex). Unfortunately, a definite statement cannot be made at this point in time.