WebRTC is a new communications technology that allows real-time communication via the web browser without plugins. It has the potential to revolutionize communications and reinvent the $2 trillion communications industry. While standardization is still ongoing, many browsers now support WebRTC, including Chrome and Firefox. However, challenges remain regarding codecs, patents, and interoperability with existing phone systems. The presenters demonstrated a WebRTC client and discussed how WebRTC could be used to build cross-platform mobile apps and integrate real-time communication features into existing web applications like Zimbra.

1. 1
WebRTC – A Communications Revolution
moderator: martin steinmann
participants: george niculae, joegen baclor, daniel tacalau
March 11, 2013 / Bentley University / Boston MA

2. Introducing the Presenters
George Niculae Daniel Tacalau Joegen Baclor

3. Communications at Web Speed
Nothing short of a communications revolution 3

4. The Vision of WebRTC
Approaching reality at Web speed 4
> A softphone in a browser
> Complexity reduction
> Next generation ‘phone’ network
> Real-time everywhere
> $2 trillion industry re-invented
>Skype, but better, based on standards

5. Status of WebRTC Standardization
2013 is the year of WebRTC 5
Chrome Opera
> Desktop: full support > Mobile: Available (Android)
> Mobile: coming soon
IE
Firefox / Firefox Mobile > Via ChromeFrame plugin
> Desktop: full support and interop with > Microsoft chose a proprietary path
Chrome
> Mobile: Announced (Android)
Safari
> Apple focused on Face Time walled
garden and H.264
> Third party plugin: e.g. webrtc4all
> iOS is closed and prevents third party
browsers from accessing certain functions

6. Ongoing Fight over Codecs and Patents
WebRTC attempts to set a new standard for open source and royalty free codecs 6
> Voice
> Opus (royalty free, open source)
> Video
> Google and Mozilla and W3C favor
VP8 (patent free and open source)
> Microsoft, Cisco, Apple favor H.264
(requires a license)
> Microsoft
> Remember RTAudio and RTVideo?

7. How Does It Work?
Simple, its (almost) all in the browser 7
Features
> Codecs
WebSockets > Encryption
WebSockets
> NAT traversal
> Bandwidth mgmt
Signaling
> SIP
> XMPP
> Proprietary

8. openUC – WebRTC Architecture
Secure infrastructure for browser based communication 8
> sipXsbc as a secure
gateway for external
traffic
> WebSocket proxy
> Media anchoring
> Security (encryption)
> Flexible and secure
remote worker solution
> Mediation for vendor
specific phones (Cisco)

9. WebRTC Client Demo
9

10. Mobile App Development is Changing
Cross-platform and speed no longer a trade-off you have to make 10
Why is this important?
> Cross-platform represents
huge complexity
> Real-time technology is
complex and expensive to
buy
> Could speed-up the adoption
of new operating systems
like Firefox OS and Ubuntu
Touch

11. Trend in Mobile App Development
11
We believe Web apps will win
> Costs less
> Faster time-to-market
> Cross-platform
WebRTC is ‘native’ in the browser
> High quality audio/video without
choppiness
> Acquired from the best source and
maintained by Google

12. What Are We Working On?
Web based communications enablement 12
Media enabling Web integrations
> Salesforce.com
> Zimbra
> Liferay
> openACD
Interoperability with phone end points
> Some hurdles to overcome
> Might require a proxy / gateway
Providing the enterprise infrastructure
> Enable the user to benefit from WebRTC client innovation
> Global SIP infrastructure
> Open, standards based, enables BYOD

13. VMware Zimbra Communications Enabled
WebRTC brings voice / video / screen sharing right into the Zimbra browser UI 13
Unite Zimbra first version
> Initiate calls (click-to-call)
> Presence integration
> Unified messaging / call history
> Conference management
> Corporate address book
> Calendar free / busy
Unite Zimbra second version
> Voice / video in the browser
> Screen sharing from the Zimbra UI
> Integrated chat / group chat