Statewide IP Video Conferencing (H.323) Planning and Implementation

By

Edward Stockey

Frederick Nay

 In July 2001, the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) Integrated Technologies Committee (ITC) formed an IP Video Task Force (IPVTF) to evaluate two-way interactive video over IP networks using the H.323 protocol and to recommend to the Indiana Telecommunications Network (ITN) various hardware/software and policy components required for implementing H.323 IP video. 

This workshop will help network designers, technical coordinators, faculty, students, and administrators understand the basic functioning of H.323-based videoconferencing. 

Task Force recommendations provided direction for ITN to implement a state-of-the-art H.323 videoconferencing environment that is robust and scalable for the state of Indiana.

The topics reviewed and discussed by the IPVTF include: 

The H.323 standard covers four fundamental hardware elements of a complete network system: terminals (also called codecs), gatekeepers, gateways, and MCUs.  Dial plans and directory services are policy and support mechanisms used to make an H.323 network easier to use. Finally, QoS is a function of the underlying IP network, transparent to the end-user while it is working but immediately evident if it fails. 

Many education institutions are already using IP-based videoconferencing. Indiana University, Purdue University, and Ball State University are delivering instruction via IP videoconferencing, while libraries and K-12 institutions are using the technology for administrative videoconferencing. It is therefore important that ITN provide a consistent service across the shared network resource soon to avoid later having to work around multiple competing investments in equipment and policy components.