FAQ (english)

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General FAQ for Zoom

This manual shows how you can merge an already existing Zoom-account previously registered with your @fau.de email address at
Zoom directly with your IdM account at the FAU.

Merging with already existing Zoom accounts

For the organization of meetings with up to 300 participants no separate license is necessary.

Only for the organization of large meetings (>300 participants) or webinars with more than 300 participants, as well as generally for webinars (difference between webinar – meeting see here) appropriate licenses are necessary. FAU has procured a limited number of these and allocates licenses as needed.

If one of the above-mentioned special functions is required, please access the IdM portal and select the item „Request FAU Zoom options“ under „Requests/Tasks“ in the „Services“ section.

To sign in via the Zoom client, please read the following guide:
SSO Registration with Zoom client

For pseudonymous use you can define registration without submission of name or email address to Zoom.
First log in at https//www.idm.fau.de using your IdM-ID and adjust the settings under „applications“ -> „apply for access“ – „FAU Zoom pseudonymization“
as desired.
Please note that activation of pseudonymization takes a certain amount of time and that this activation will remove all user data saved with Zoom irreversibly.
In case you decided to reverse this pseudonymization at a later point in time you can do so at the same location (see above).

Please try first to regularly register via login with SSO on fau.zoom.us.

You only have to take additional steps if you encounter problems:
If your privately obtained Zoom license is still valid then please call the Zoom support hotline directly and ask for both accounts to be merged.

If your privately obtained Zoom license is no longer valid, then please proceed as follows:

  1. Perform the pseudonymization of your Zoom account in your IdM account
    Please note: By doing this you also agree that all your current Zoom settings and data (Zoom groups, etc.) will be deleted!
  2. After that it should be possible for you to also set up a new Zoom account within the FAU via the web page FAU.ZOOM.US.

Zoom-Clients are available for Mac, Windows or Linux, and also for iOS and Android. It is also possible to use Zoom in a limited fashion via a current browser. You can find information on operating system support and browsers on the support web page of Zoom

On the webpage https://fau.zoom.us/ Zoom lists the dial-in numbers for each country.

Please note that these dial-in numbers appear to look like regular landline numbers, but may not always be subject to flat rates and additional charges may apply. It is impossible for the FAU to provide more detailed information as this may be dependent on your phone rates and contract and also on settings that the Zoom organization may put in effect.

Currently the installation of any third party software is blocked. This is to ensure rapid availability of the system with all its basic functions and to enable FAU-wide use while safe guarding maintainability.
It has not been ruled out that add-ons will be able to be installed at a later point in time, but currently this is not possible.
We kindly ask for your understanding.

You will need a (good) microphone, headphones and a suitable web cam. For optimal audio quality the RRZE recommends the use of a headset.
Due to the current situation it is unfortunately very difficult to obtain suitable hardware, because supplies cannot meet demands.

In addition, these devices are currently also not available via IT-procurement frameworks.
For this reason, institutes may obtain suitable devices from a supplier of their choice, provided the IT procurement guidelines of the FAU are being followed.
It is necessary, however, to first seek approval from the RRZE. In case of further questions please contact the RRZE directly at rrze-hardware@fau.de.

For computers maintained by the RRZE the relevant IT-Support Center will help you.
If your computer is not maintained by the RRZE, then please contact your local system administrator or install the client yourself: Download Zoom.

How do I merge an already existing Zoom account with the IdM account of the FAU?
This manual shows how you can merge an already existing Zoom-account previously registered with your @fau.de email address at Zoom directly with your IdM account at the FAU. Merging with already existing Zoom accounts
How do I obtain a Zoom license that I can use for organizing a webinar or a meeting with more than 300 participants?
For the organization of meetings with up to 300 participants no separate license is necessary. Only for the organization of large meetings (>300 participants) or webinars with more than 300 participants, as well as generally for webinars (difference between webinar – meeting see here) appropriate licenses are necessary. FAU has procured a limited number of these and allocates licenses as needed. If one of the above-mentioned special functions is required, please access the IdM portal and select the item „Request FAU Zoom options“ under „Requests/Tasks“ in the „Services“ section.
How do I sign in using the Zoom client?
To sign in via the Zoom client, please read the following guide: SSO Registration with Zoom client
How to use zoom pseudonymous?
For pseudonymous use you can define registration without submission of name or email address to Zoom. First log in at https//www.idm.fau.de using your IdM-ID and adjust the settings under „applications“ -> „apply for access“ – „FAU Zoom pseudonymization“ as desired. Please note that activation of pseudonymization takes a certain amount of time and that this activation will remove all user data saved with Zoom irreversibly. In case you decided to reverse this pseudonymization at a later point in time you can do so at the same location (see above).
What do I have to do if I currently have a private Zoom license and would now like to switch to the FAU license?
Please try first to regularly register via login with SSO on fau.zoom.us. You only have to take additional steps if you encounter problems: If your privately obtained Zoom license is still valid then please call the Zoom support hotline directly and ask for both accounts to be merged. If your privately obtained Zoom license is no longer valid, then please proceed as follows: Perform the pseudonymization of your Zoom account in your IdM account Please note: By doing this you also agree that all your current Zoom settings and data (Zoom groups, etc.) will be deleted! After that it should be possible for you to also set up a new Zoom account within the FAU via the web page FAU.ZOOM.US.
What do I need to install in order to be able to use Zoom?
Zoom-Clients are available for Mac, Windows or Linux, and also for iOS and Android. It is also possible to use Zoom in a limited fashion via a current browser. You can find information on operating system support and browsers on the support web page of Zoom
Where do I find dial-in information outside of the USA?
On the webpage https://fau.zoom.us/ Zoom lists the dial-in numbers for each country. Please note that these dial-in numbers appear to look like regular landline numbers, but may not always be subject to flat rates and additional charges may apply. It is impossible for the FAU to provide more detailed information as this may be dependent on your phone rates and contract and also on settings that the Zoom organization may put in effect.
Which add-ons can be used under Zoom?
Currently the installation of any third party software is blocked. This is to ensure rapid availability of the system with all its basic functions and to enable FAU-wide use while safe guarding maintainability. It has not been ruled out that add-ons will be able to be installed at a later point in time, but currently this is not possible. We kindly ask for your understanding.
Which hardware is required for video calls?
You will need a (good) microphone, headphones and a suitable web cam. For optimal audio quality the RRZE recommends the use of a headset. Due to the current situation it is unfortunately very difficult to obtain suitable hardware, because supplies cannot meet demands. In addition, these devices are currently also not available via IT-procurement frameworks. For this reason, institutes may obtain suitable devices from a supplier of their choice, provided the IT procurement guidelines of the FAU are being followed. It is necessary, however, to first seek approval from the RRZE. In case of further questions please contact the RRZE directly at rrze-hardware@fau.de.
Who will install the Zoom client for me?
For computers maintained by the RRZE the relevant IT-Support Center will help you. If your computer is not maintained by the RRZE, then please contact your local system administrator or install the client yourself: Download Zoom.