Standard VC protocols
Please be aware that information presented in this section is subject to potential future change. Organisations should always carry out further research to ensure they are aware of the latest standards and protocols.
All key video conferencing protocol standards are developed and ratified by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Video conferencing standard (Codex) involves several different protocols covering telephony and voice standards. At a minimum, video conferencing infrastructure should be capable of supporting H.320, H.323, H.264 and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) calling. The associated voice codex standards for video conferencing infrastructure should support G.711, G722, G.723, G.728 and G.729.
Video conferencing industry standard protocols
Standard |
H.320 |
H.321 |
H.322 |
H.323 |
H.264 |
Network type |
Narrowband switched digital ISDN |
Broadband ISDN ATM LAN |
Guaranteed bandwidth packet switched networks |
Non -guaranteed bandwidth packet switched networks (Ethernet) |
Non -guaranteed bandwidth packet switched networks (Ethernet)
3/4/5G mobile networks
|
Audio |
G.711, G.722, G.722.1, G.728 |
G.711, G.722, G.728 |
G.711,G.722, G.728 |
G.711, G.722, G.728, G.723, G.729 |
G.711, G.722, G.728, G.723, G.729 |
H.320: This is the standard associate with ISDN video calls and is supported if an additional ISDN option has been purchased. It is accepted that the use of H320 - ISDN connection type services - are becoming obsolete. Note - support and guidance will be offered to customers who are using legacy VC services via their chosen CN-SP.
H.323: H.323 is a protocol standard for multimedia communications. H.323 was designed to support real-time transfer of audio and video data over packet networks like IP.
SIP is an open signalling protocol for establishing any real-time communication session. The communication session can involve a combination of voice, video, and instant messaging and take place on any device that people use for communicating: laptop computer, Smartphone, mobile phone, Instant Messenger (IM) client, IP phone, for example.
H.264: With ubiquitous usage of mobile smartphones and tablets there is now a growing move towards the industry standard H.264 and Scalable Video Coding (SVC). This provides high-quality video at lower bandwidth over a wide range of networks and systems, which enables quality video conferencing on a wider range of mobile devices, compacting the use of bandwidth usage over 4G and Wi-Fi, while retaining image and sound quality.
Interworking solution should be established to ensure that any protocol translation between H.323 and SIP is transparent to the end user.
A gatekeeper is a management tool for H.323 multimedia networks. A single gatekeeper controls interactions for each zone, which comprises the terminals, multipoint control units (MCUs), and gateways within a particular domain. Although the gatekeeper is an optional component, when it is included, it becomes the central administrative entity.
Video conferencing systems using SIP should be compatible with open standards for video encapsulation.
Firewall traversal should be established to support both H323 and SIP video traffic.