Cisco Networking Simplified, Second Edition

Chapter . Traditional Videoconferencing

I See You

Videoconferencing is similar to an audioconference call in that multiple people connect to a central site to communicate with each other. Videoconference networks are converging onto IP networks, allowing greater flexibility and lower cost.

Traditional videoconferencing systems used a protocol called H.320, which allowed the transmission of video across public telephone lines using ISDN. Typically, companies built expensive videoconference rooms that were shared, requiring reservations. During the videoconference, people wanted to share presentations and images and view notes or whiteboard scribbles. The cost of videoconferences was high in both the investment in equipment and the monthly cost of ...