Packet Based Multimedia Communication Systems H.323 & Voice Over IP Outline 1. H.323 Components 2. H.323 Zone 3. Protocols specified by H Terminal Characteristics 5. Gatekeeper Characteristics 6. H.225 RAS 7. H.225 Signaling and H.245 Control Signaling 8. Connection Procedures

1. H.323 Components Terminals Gateways Gatekeepers Multi-point Control Units (MCUs)

1.1. H.323 Terminals Runs an H.323 Stack and multi-media applications. Audio Communications a must ( hence a key role in IP telephony ), Video/Data Communications is optional. May be used in multi-point conferences. Interworking with H.310 terminals on B-ISDN, H.320 terminals on ISDN, H.321 terminals on B-ISDN, H.322 terminals on QoS guaranteed LANs & H.324 terminals on SCN and Wireless Networks

1.2. H.323 Gateways Connects two dissimilar networks (H.323 and non-H.323) Translates protocols for call setup and release. Converts media formats between different networks Transfers information between the networks connected by the gateway. * A gateway is not required for communication between two terminals on an H.323 network

1.3. H.323 Gatekeepers Brain of the H.323 Network. Provide services like addressing, authorization and authentication of terminals and gateways. Bandwidth management, accounting, billing and charging. May also provide call routing services. * A gatekeeper is not ALWAYS required in an H.323 Network.

1.4. H.323 Multi-point Control Units Support for conference of three or more H.323 Terminals. Manages conference resources, negotiates between terminals for audio/video codec selection and may handle media streams.

2. H.323 Zone Collection of all terminals (Tx), Gateways (GW), and Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) managed by a single Gatekeeper (GK). Includes at least one terminal, and may or may not include Gateways or MCUs. Has one and only one Gatekeeper. May be independent of network topology and may be comprised of multiple network segments which are connected using routes (R) or other devices.

3. Protocols Specified by H.323 Audio Codecs. Video Codecs H.225 Registration Admission and Status (RAS) H.225 Call Signaling H.245 Control Signaling Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) Real Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP)

3.2. H.225 Registration Admission and Status Protocol between endpoints (terminal & gateways) and gatekeeper. Performs registration, admission control, bandwidth changes, status, and disengage procedures between endpoints and gatekeepers. A signaling RAS channel is opened between an endpoint and a gatekeeper prior to the establishment of any other channels

3.3. H.225 Call Signaling Used to establish a connection between two H.323 endpoints. Achieved by exchanging H.225 protocol messages on the call signaling channel. The call signaling channel is opened between two H.323 endpoints or between an endpoint and a gatekeeper.

3.4. H.245 Control Signaling Used to exchange end-to-end control messages governing the operation of the H.323 endpoint. Capabilities Exchange Opening and Closing of logical channels used to carry media streams. Flow control messages General Commands and Indication.

3.5. Real Time Transport Protocol End-to-end delivery services of real time audio and video. RTP is typically used to transfer data via UDP; RTP together with UDP provides transport protocol functionality. RTP provides Payload type identification RTP provides Sequence Numbering RTP provides Timestamping RTP provides Delivery Monitoring UDP provides multiplexing and checksum services. * RTP can be used with other transport protocols as well.

3.6. Real Time Transport Control Protocol Provides feedback on the quality of RTP data distribution. Carries a transport-level identifier for an RTP source, called a canonical name, which is used by receivers to synchronize audio and video.

4. Terminal Characteristics H.245 for exchanging terminal capabilities and creation of media channels H.225 for call signaling and call setup. RAS for registration and other admission control with a gatekeeper RTP/RTCP for sequencing audio and video packets. G.711 audio codec * Optional components include video codecs, T.120 data-conferencing protocols and MCU capabilities.

5. Gatekeeper Characteristics Mandatory Address Translation Admission Control Bandwidth Control Zone Management Optional Call Control Signaling Call Authorization Call Management

6. H.225 RAS Gatekeeper Discovery (GRQ) Endpoint Registration Endpoint Location Admission Control Access Tokens

7. H.225 Call Signaling and H.245 Control Signaling H.225 Call Signaling Gatekeeper-Routed Call Signaling Direct Call Signaling H.245 Control Signaling Capabilities Exchange Logical Channel Signaling

8. Connection Procedures 8.1 H.323 Call Establishment

8.2 H.323 Control Signaling

8.3 H.323 Media Stream and Media Control Flows

8.3 H.323 Call Release