---
type: entity
title: DFNconf/Pexip
tags: [software, web-conferencing, streaming, dfn, livestreaming, video-conferencing, communication-tool]
related: [web-conferencing, livestreaming, conference-capacity-planning, digital-teaching, dfnconf-pexip-streaming, bigbluebutton, jitsi-meet, adobe-connect, shibboleth, dfn, universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-07-01
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_studium_lehre_elearning.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_studium_lehre_elearning_conf.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_studium_lehre_elearning_dienstuebersicht_digitale_l.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_studium_lehre_elearning_streaming_streaming.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_webdienste_webkonferenz.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_webdienste_webkonferenz_dfnconf.md"]
---

# DFNconf/Pexip

DFNconf (powered by Pexip) is a web-based audio and video conferencing and streaming service provided through the [[dfn]] (Deutsches Forschungsnetz) infrastructure for the Universität Greifswald. It utilizes Pexip as its central communication interface and supports both interactive meetings and large-scale lecture broadcasts.

## Technical Capabilities
The service is highly flexible in its connection methods, supporting:
- **WebRTC** for browser-based access.
- Dedicated Pexip applications.
- Legacy hardware standards **H.323** and **SIP**.
- Telephone dial-in.

## Operational Modes

### Interactive Web Conferences (Conference Mode)
- **Capacity**: Supports up to **23 active video participants** and an additional **50 active audio participants**.
- **Interactivity**: Fully interactive with audio, video, screen sharing, and chat.
- **Visibility**: Users generally cannot see other participants' video unless they are also sending a video signal (unless using the alternative/legacy web client).
- **Timeout**: The session ends automatically **10 minutes** after the last Host leaves the room.
- **Recording**: 
    - One source states recording is not supported in this mode.
    - Another source states that due to data protection regulations, recording and uploading functions are prohibited within DFNconf, designating [[bigbluebutton]] as the alternative.
- **Recommendation**: For digital teaching purposes, it is recommended for smaller groups of up to 23 participants.

### Livestreaming (Lecture Mode)
- **Purpose**: Used for livestreams to reach very large audiences.
- **Capacity**: Unlimited participants.
- **Interactivity**: Non-interactive (one-way broadcast).
- **Features**: Audio, video, screen sharing, and chat.
- **Recording**: Supported.
- **Performance**: Livestreams via this service exhibit a latency of 10-30 seconds.

## Access and Management

### User Roles and Permissions
- **Host (Veranstalter)**: Required to start guest transmissions and maintain the session. Only university employees (including student assistants) are permitted/authorized to create and manage conferences.
- **Guest (Gast)**: Limited permissions; transmissions are dependent on the presence of a Host. Participation is open to all users, including external guests.
- **Student Access**: Students are unable to log in via [[shibboleth]] for the purpose of managing or creating the service.

### Configuration and Authentication
- **Management**: Host management is handled via [[shibboleth]] authentication at `my.conf.dfn.de`.
- **Client Provisioning**: For power users, the Pexip client supports **provisioning/branding** via the DFNconf API, which enables advanced features like layout control.

### Support
- Support is provided by the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]] via their ticket system or hotline (ext. 1420).

## Performance and Stability

### Load Warnings
As an external service, Pexip/DFNconf is subject to high load during peak hours, which may result in restricted service quality, quality loss, connection instability, or significant performance degradation. Users are advised to avoid scheduling transmissions during these nationwide peak usage times:
- **10:00–11:00**
- **13:00–15:00**

## Participant Capacity Comparison
The service is used alongside other tools, with capacities varying by format:

| Tool/Format | Participant Limit |
|---|---|
| Pexip-Meeting | 23 |
| Jitsi | 35 |
| BigBlueButton | 100 |
| Adobe-Connect | 200 |
| **Pexip Streaming** | **Unlimited** |