Videoconferencing Overview H.323 videoconferencing allows users using personal computers, IP telephones, and room-based systems to confer with another or with many other users across the office and around the world over IP networks. It is helping organizations make the transition to an Internet-driven world with instant worldwide connectivity. Spurred by changes in communications technology, low-cost bandwidth, plus continuous improvements in hardware and performance, videoconferencing solutions provide large and small enterprises, government institutions, and educational environments with the tools they need to be more productive, to make decisions faster, to train and educate more effectively, and to save time and avoid the burden of travel. It defines the IP-based videoconference components and modes of interaction. H.323 terminals are usually desktop computers running H.323 compliant software or H.323-compatible IP phones.
Terminals can support audio, video, and data communications.
All terminals must support audio. An optional component that performs crucial control and management tasks for H.323 videoconferences. The gatekeeper provides access control, address translation and bandwidth management. All H.323 endpoints must register with a gatekeeper, when used, to place and receive videoconference calls. The collection of endpoints that register with a gatekeeper constitute a zone.