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Version: 5.7

Built-in video conferencing with Nextcloud Talk

BlueMind can be connected to the conferencing system built into Nextcloud Talk to enable users to easily create conferences and link them to their calendar meetings.

Installing and configuring Nextcloud Talk​

Install the packages for Nextcloud Talk video conferencing​

To make the new features available to users, install the following packages on the server and then restart BlueMind:

aptitude install bm-plugin-core-videoconferencing-nextcloudtalk net.bluemind.videoconferencing.nextcloudtalk
bmctl restart

Configure the Nextcloud Talk instance​

Configuring Nextcloud Talk in BlueMind requires OpenID authentication. This necessitates configuration via the Nextcloud administration console to authorise BlueMind to query the Nextcloud server for the user authentication required to access video conferences.

Required rights

Configuration requires administrator rights for the Nextcloud instance.

  • The integration saved with Nextcloud requires the following OpenID scope: meeting:write
  • The Redirect URL for OAuth and OAuth allow list parameters must match the URL https://<external-url-bluemind>/bm-openid/auth/videoconferencing-zoom.
  • Retrieve the following two parameters, which will be needed for the BlueMind configuration (see below):
    • Application ID
    • Application Secret

Setting up OpenID Authentication​

Go to the BlueMind administration console in System management > Supervised domains > choose the desired domain > OpenID tab:

Use the following values to fill in OpenID authentication data:

  • OpenID Endpoint URL: https://<URL de nextcloud>/index.php/apps/oauth2/authorize
  • Application ID: provided by Nextcloud, retrieved during the configuration of Nextcloud Talk
  • Secret key: provided by Nextcloud, retrieved during the configuration of Nextcloud Talk
  • Token Endpoint URL: https://<URL de nextcloud>/index.php/apps/oauth2/api/v1/token

Configure the Nextcloud Talk server​

Enable videoconferencing​

To enable videoconferencing for users in a domain, configure the invitation template for the associated resource.

To do this, go to the administration console > System Management > Managed Domains > select the desired domain > Videoconferencing tab:

  • Fill in the invitation pattern to add a message accompanying the link to the videoconference

    • Select the desired language from the drop-down list

      ℹ️ Multilingual

      Language settings are saved, so you can switch between them without having to save after each change.
      To remove a language, clear the content field (select the text and delete it).

      When creating an event, the content will be added to the invitation based on the organizer's language.

    • Fill in the content:

      The template may contain variables, which are automatically replaced in the text by the system:

      • ${NomRessource}: the name of the resource as defined in the directory
      • ${Organisateur}: the name of the person creating the event in the Calendar
      • ${URL}: the conference access URL
      • ${siteURL}: Application-specific URL

      When a user adds a video conference to their event, the text defined by the template is automatically added to the event and to the invitation email sent to participants:

  • Click Save

⇒ A resource named “Nextcloud Talk” is automatically created and added to the directory.

For users to be able to use it, they must be granted sharing rights for the resource. For further information on access rights and the use of Nextcloud Talk, see the section Accessing the video conference

Create static videoconferences​

The configuration of Nextcloud allows you to create so-called "static" videoconferencing resources: their names and access URLs remain unchanged, and their booking and visibility permissions are managed independently of the main videoconferencing resource.

Prerequisites

For static resources to work, the main videoconference must be enabled. See the previous paragraph Enable Videoconferencing.

To set up a videoconference like this:

  • Click "Add a static video conference":

  • Enter the desired name and join URL for the videoconference

    💡 The login URL must match the URL of an existing static video conference in Nextcloud.

    ↳ A resource with this name, associated with the Nextcloud Talk video conferencing system, is created and added to the directory:

Once created, static video conferences are managed in the same way as the main video conference. For further information on access rights and usage, see the section Accessing the videoconference

To disassociate a server Nextcloud Talk from the domain:

  • Go to System Management > Managed Domains > select the required domain > Video Conferencing tab
  • Click the “Delete Nextcloud Talk configuration” button
  • Confirm the request
Immediate action

There's no need to click on the "Save" button at the bottom of the page, as your request is effective as soon as you've confirmed it.

⇒ The associated resource is automatically deleted and the shares are cleared; it no longer appears in the entity management interface, and users can no longer reserve it.

Accessing the videoconference​

When a user uses Nextcloud Talk video conferencing for the first time, the OpenID protocol allows them to authenticate with the Nextcloud server, and BlueMind will retrieve a secret key authorising it to create video conferences on their behalf.

BlueMind therefore has no knowledge of users’ Nextcloud usernames.

Giving users rights​

Access to the new feature is via the Nextcloud Talk resource created during the BlueMind configuration:

This resource is managed just like any other; it is through the sharing settings that you can grant booking permissions and, consequently, generate videoconference links. Therefore, you must grant a reservation right (a "can book this resource" sharing right or higher) to the desired users or groups so that they can create video conferences for their events.

Default access rights

By default, the resource is not shared; users cannot link a video conference.

Availability times

As a resource, it can be assigned working hours or a reservation policy. However, as the link generated is unique, this will not affect the availability of the videoconference itself: the link will still be active and available outside these times.

For further information on resource management and rights allocation, see the page Resources.

Using the resource​

The resource must not (and cannot) be invited to an event from BlueMind by adding it as a participant: once the configuration is complete, you must use the available buttons:

  • in the BlueMind navigation bar:
  • in the event creation interface for authorised users:

For further information on creating video conferences or adding them to calendar events, see the following pages in the user guide:

Find out more​

Related BlueMind documentation pages