Providing quality end-to-end videoconference services in IP networks

TitleProviding quality end-to-end videoconference services in IP networks
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsBouras, C, Stamos, K
Book TitleVideoconferencing: Technology, Impact and Applications
Chapter5
Pagination 111 - 122
PublisherNova Science Publishers
Abstract

The development of quality and user satisfying videoconference applications at a low cost has been hindered in the past by, among other reasons, low quality connections and a difficulty for the average user to establish end-to-end connections without hassle. In this chapter, we describe some of the latest methods and developments that overcome these problems. In particular, we discuss ways to make establishment of universal videoconference connections easier by overcoming the problem of participants that reside behind NAT routers, by deploying new protocols at the application or even the network layer. An example of the former case is the development of establishment protocols specifically designed for this purpose, while an example for the latter case is the deployment of IPv6, which aims to make NAT deployments obsolete. Furthermore, we discuss efforts to provide targeted support for quality of experience in networks that support some kind of traffic classification through the usage of dynamic mechanisms and dynamic network re-configurations. Apart from describing the state of the art in the aforementioned areas, we provide detailed insight in specific research efforts that have taken place and assess their results in the overall user experience.