Activating your VTC system

(also referred to as provisioning)

This article explains how to get your hardware video endpoint activated for use with the Pexip Service (also referred to as provisioning) so that you can start making and receiving calls.

Activating using the method supported for your device

Before a hardware endpoint can be used with the Pexip Service to make and receive calls, it must be configured with its endpoint subscription information and registration details. The endpoint can receive this configuration in three ways, depending on the endpoint:

  • Provisioning using the Activate endpoint app, which you run from your desktop. The app uploads the endpoint subscription and configuration details to the endpoint. The endpoint then periodically checks with the Pexip Service for any updates to its configuration.

  • Provisioning via an option on the device itself, which connects to the Pexip Service to retrieve the endpoint's subscription and configuration details. The endpoint then periodically checks with the Pexip Service for any updates to its configuration.

  • Entering the details into the device manually. Use this method if the endpoint can't be provisioned using either of the above methods. If any of the endpoint's subscription or configuration details change, you'll need to reconfigure these on the endpoint manually.

To check which method of activation is supported for your device, see Videoconferencing units compatible with Pexip subscriptions.

Whichever activation method you use, first check the prerequisites and recommendations.

The Activate Endpoint app lets you automatically activate your VTC system and it can also test the suitability of the network environment for registering your endpoint to the Pexip Service. You can use the app on Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.

Pexip has produced a series of video guides (see playlist on https://www.youtube.com) to installing and using the Activate Endpoint app on Window and Mac.

How to use the app to activate your device

When you are sure that your network is suitable for registering your endpoint to the service, you are ready to activate your device using the app. Please note that during activation, the app loads the necessary configuration settings and certificates (if required) to your endpoint, and sets SIP as the preferred calling protocol. The app disables the H.323 protocol but this can be re-enabled manually through the endpoint's web interface or command line console, if needed.

There are two stages to using the app for activation and it's important to do them in order:

Stage 1: Loading your unique activation URL into the app

To use the Activate Endpoint app, first you need to download and install it to your desktop. Then go to an activation email, MyPages or Pexip Control Center (PCC) to launch the app, as described below.

  • Using the activation emailEmail
  • Using MyPagesMyPages
  • Using Pexip Control CenterPCC

Use this method if you have received an email saying that your video subscription can be activated.

  1. Install the Activate Endpoint app.

    Pexip has produced a guide to installing the Activate Endpoint app on Window and Mac:

    You must install the Java SDK before installing the Activate Endpoint app.

    1. As a prerequisite to installing the app you must first install the Java SE Development Kit (JDK).

      We recommend that you install Java SE Development Kit 21 (as version 21 is a Long Term Support release):

      1. Go to https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java21.
      2. Select the relevant tab for your operating system (macOS/Windows) and download your preferred installer package.
      3. Install the JDK (the steps for this depend upon your OS and package type).
    2. Download and install the Activate Endpoint app from the Downloading the Pexip Service endpoint app, mobile apps and plugins page (Microsoft Windows 64-bit and Apple Mac OS versions are available).

    Avoid opening the Activate Endpoint app directly from your desktop because it won't have your subscription details which are needed for activation to work.

  2. Open the email you received, and then select the Activate button in the email body.

    Subscription activation email with the Activate button

  3. This opens a new tab in your browser, taking you to your unique activation URL where your subscription details are held.

    Browser page for launching the endpoint activation app

  4. Select to launch the app while also loading your subscription details.

    If you are prompted to enable firewall/network access (e.g. from Windows Defender Firewall), you must allow access to private networks, as the app uses your private network to activate the endpoint.

  5. The app opens and displays your subscription details including the Display name, Video address and Plan (circled in red). You can use themenu in the top right corner to check which version of the app you're running.

    Endpoint app showing subscription details and the menu

    If you're using Microsoft Windows and all you can do is scroll through the Help screens, you may need to update the Activate Endpoint app properties to be able to run the app as administrator. Here's how:

    1. Close the app and locate its executable file.
    2. Right click on the binary file and select Properties.
    3. Select Compatibility.
    4. Select Run this program as an administrator and save the changes.
    5. Re-open the app and re-try. If the problem persists contact your account manager at your local certified Pexip Partner for help.

You can now activate your endpoint using the app.

If you have the company administrator role, you can use MyPages to launch the Activate Endpoint app.

  1. Install the Activate Endpoint app.

    Pexip has produced a guide to installing the Activate Endpoint app on Window and Mac:

    You must install the Java SDK before installing the Activate Endpoint app.

    1. As a prerequisite to installing the app you must first install the Java SE Development Kit (JDK).

      We recommend that you install Java SE Development Kit 21 (as version 21 is a Long Term Support release):

      1. Go to https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java21.
      2. Select the relevant tab for your operating system (macOS/Windows) and download your preferred installer package.
      3. Install the JDK (the steps for this depend upon your OS and package type).
    2. Download and install the Activate Endpoint app from the Downloading the Pexip Service endpoint app, mobile apps and plugins page (Microsoft Windows 64-bit and Apple Mac OS versions are available).

    Avoid opening the Activate Endpoint app directly from your desktop because it won't have your subscription details which are needed for activation to work.

  2. From the desktop or web app, go to the menu in the top-right corner and select Company Administration. You see the list of members displayed.
  3. Select the Video systems tab and you see all the endpoint subscriptions for your organization.

  4. Find the endpoint you want to activate, and then select the Activate tab. You see your subscription details.

    My Pages subscription details for an endpoint

  5. Select the Activate subscription on endpoint button and a new tab opens in your browser, taking you to your unique activation URL.

    Browser page for launching the endpoint activation app

  6. Select to launch the app while also loading your subscription details.

    If you are prompted to enable firewall/network access (e.g. from Windows Defender Firewall), you must allow access to private networks, as the app uses your private network to activate the endpoint.

  7. The app opens and displays your subscription details including the Display name, Video address and Plan (circled in red). You can use themenu in the top right corner to check which version of the app you're running.

    Endpoint app showing subscription details and the menu

    If you're using Microsoft Windows and all you can do is scroll through the Help screens, you may need to update the Activate Endpoint app properties to be able to run the app as administrator. Here's how:

    1. Close the app and locate its executable file.
    2. Right click on the binary file and select Properties.
    3. Select Compatibility.
    4. Select Run this program as an administrator and save the changes.
    5. Re-open the app and re-try. If the problem persists contact your account manager at your local certified Pexip Partner for help.

You can now activate your endpoint using the app.

If you have a PCC login with Admin role, you can use it to launch the Activate Endpoint app.

  1. Install the Activate Endpoint app.

    Pexip has produced a guide to installing the Activate Endpoint app on Window and Mac:

    You must install the Java SDK before installing the Activate Endpoint app.

    1. As a prerequisite to installing the app you must first install the Java SE Development Kit (JDK).

      We recommend that you install Java SE Development Kit 21 (as version 21 is a Long Term Support release):

      1. Go to https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java21.
      2. Select the relevant tab for your operating system (macOS/Windows) and download your preferred installer package.
      3. Install the JDK (the steps for this depend upon your OS and package type).
    2. Download and install the Activate Endpoint app from the Downloading the Pexip Service endpoint app, mobile apps and plugins page (Microsoft Windows 64-bit and Apple Mac OS versions are available).

    Avoid opening the Activate Endpoint app directly from your desktop because it won't have your subscription details which are needed for activation to work.

  2. In PCC go to your Video Systems page and open the menu at the end of the row for the device you want to activate.
  3. Select and you see a dialog with similar advice to this article.

  4. Select Launch the app to continue.

    PCC dialog with the Launch the app button

  5. Selectto confirm that you want to open the app.

    If you are prompted to enable firewall/network access (e.g. from Windows Defender Firewall), you must allow access to private networks, as the app uses your private network to activate the endpoint.

    The app opens and displays your subscription details including the Display name, Video address and Plan (circled in red). You can use themenu in the top right corner to check which version of the app you're running.

    Endpoint app showing subscription details and the menu

    If you're using Microsoft Windows and all you can do is scroll through the Help screens, you may need to update the Activate Endpoint app properties to be able to run the app as administrator. Here's how:

    1. Close the app and locate its executable file.
    2. Right click on the binary file and select Properties.
    3. Select Compatibility.
    4. Select Run this program as an administrator and save the changes.
    5. Re-open the app and re-try. If the problem persists contact your account manager at your local certified Pexip Partner for help.

You can now activate your endpoint using the app.

Stage 2: Running the app to perform activation

If you encounter any problems during activation, please refer to the troubleshooting guide in the first instance.

  1. If you have launched the app and see your subscription details displayed at the top, you can continue. If you don't see your subscription details (circled in red below), please close the app and then follow the steps above.

    Endpoint activation app showing subscription details and network test

  2. Select Skip to bypass the network test (assuming you have already run it).
  3. Select Scan to find your endpoint on the local network. If your computer's firewall prompts you for permission to allow communications for this application, please allow it. When the endpoint scan completes, you see a list of the video systems found. Select the one you want.

    4. Endpoint activation app listing discovered video systems

  4. Alternatively, you can manually enter the IP address of the device. This may be the preferred method in more restrictive network environments that prevent the use of discovery protocols (CDP, LLDP).
  5. Enter the endpoint username and password, if prompted.

  6. If you are sure you want to continue with activation, select the Activate button. As part of its processing, the app loads the necessary configuration settings and certificates (if required) to your endpoint, and sets SIP as the preferred calling protocol. The app disables the H.323 protocol but this can be re-enabled manually through the endpoint's web interface or command line console, if needed.

    Endpoint activation app ready to activate the selected video system

  7. On completion, you see Video system activated window.

    Video system activated confirmation window

Congratulations! You’re now ready to start making calls. (The Scan again button restarts the activation process.)

Here's more information see Joining a VMR or Using a VTC system to call a contact in your organization.

This method of activation involves getting your endpoint tied to its subscription. It's sometimes referred to as the Serial Number method of activation because many devices are tied using their serial number. However, it could be MAC address or something else that's used to tie the two together, and it depends on your endpoint make and model.

First see Videoconferencing units compatible with Pexip subscriptions for links to more detailed information about activating your specific make and model of endpoint and then contact your your Pexip authorized support representative for help.