Video Dial Plan Architecture
.. Corporate video conferencing was first introduced in the 1980s as a way
to help people in different cities communicate more effectively.These
first-generation solutions were based on the ITU H.320 standards
defining ISDN connection-based videoconferencing.
.. The Cisco Multimedia Conference Manager (Cisco MCM) is a
specialized Cisco IOS software image that lets network administrators
support H.323 applications on their networks without compromising
mission-critical traffic from other applications.The Cisco MCM serves
two main functions: it acts as a gatekeeper, and as a proxy.
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AVVID Dial Plans • Chapter 9 331
.. A gateway is an optional element that can be implemented within the
H.323 deployment. It is an endpoint on the LAN that can provide realtime,
two-way communication between H.323 terminals or other
gateways. It is also capable of using the LAN and other ITU terminals
located on the WAN by using H.425 and Q.931 protocols.
.. A proxy gateway is a secured connection between H.323 sessions.The
Cisco Multimedia Conference Manager contains a proxy as part of its
infrastructure so it can provide QoS, traffic shaping, and security and
policy management for H.323 traffic across any secured connection.
.. The H.323 gatekeeper is an optional component capable of providing
call control services to H.323 endpoints.You may implement multiple
gatekeepers within your network, and they will remain logically separate
from the endpoints.There are currently no standards for gatekeeper-togatekeeper
communications, so you may want to explore other options
before installing multiple gatekeepers within the same segment.You
could install terminals, MCUs, gateways, or other non-H.323 LAN
devices since these may coexist in the same environment.
.. An MCU is a device that aids in getting calls to three or more endpoints
in conference type deployments. It is usually a centralized device that
assists in the facilitation of conference sessions for data, video, and/or
audio.
.. Video dial peers is a feature supported only on the MC3810 Multi-
Service Concentrator.