Why do I need Cisco WebEx on Ubuntu?
If you're like me, you are reading this article as you need Cisco WebEx for work. You want to use Ubuntu, maybe to simplify your user experience and to change your personal working style and workflows.
So before installing Ubuntu, I wanted to confirm on the Cisco website that it could run WebEx.
I did some initial research and followed the advice on the Ubuntu forums and confirmed previously known limitations of using WebEx on Ubuntu - https://help.webex.com/docs/DOC-2012.
Cisco WebEx now supports Ubuntu. You can Download the Webex Meetings Virtual Desktop App here.
How to get Cisco Webex on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
So here are some details on the process for me.
Prerequisites:
- I'm using Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Operating system - Long term service edition, this should work on Ubuntu 12.XX and above
- Mozilla Firefox internet browser
Steps to get Cisco Webex on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
Step 1 - Install Oracle Java
Step 2 - Open the Terminal Application
Step 3 - Install some initial Ubuntu package updates
Type into the Terminal application
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
After that, update package lists.
Type:
sudo apt-get update
Step 4 - Install Oracle Java 8
We're now going to install Oracle Java 8. You do this by typing:
sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer
Tip: You can change the number 8 to 6 (or 7) in the code to install Java 6 (or 7).
While this is installing Oracle Java 8 on your computer, you’ll be asked to agree the license and then the installer start downloading Java file from Oracle website and install it on your system.
We want to now set the default Oracle Java 8 as default, type:
sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-set-default
Step 5 - You'll have Oracle Java 8 installed now
Step 6 - Open up Mozilla Firefox internet browser and open Cisco WebEx
Let's go to test the Cisco WebEx using WebEx's testing feature at https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html
Step 7 - Open Cisco WebEx on Java
Step 8 - Cisco WebEx should now run for you
Key Cisco WebEx on Ubuntu considerations
At the time of writing this, Cisco WebEx on Linux cannot be the host of the meeting. So you'll need to also dial in with your Android phone or iOS phone to start your meeting. This is what I use to kick start my meetings.
Known Issues and Limitations for Meeting Center
- Linux systems, BlackBerry 10 devices, and Windows 8 phones—You cannot start or host a meeting in your Personal Room using Linux systems, a BlackBerry 10 device, or a Windows Phone 8 device.
- Personal Room lobby—Users of the following devices or systems cannot wait in the lobby while a Personal Room is locked: Linux systems, TelePresence devices, Windows Phone 8 device, and BlackBerry 10 devices. In addition users who join only the audio portion of the meeting cannot wait in the lobby while a Personal Room is locked. These users will receive a message that the room is locked, and will not be able to join until the room is unlocked
- Linux is not supported for Personal Rooms
- I found it working on the latest Mozilla Firefox but not Google Chrome.
