The document contains information about several individuals and an outline for a presentation on H.323. The outline discusses what H.323 is, its scope and importance, its historical development stages, the elements that make up an H.323 system, the core protocols that define H.323 communication, how H.323 calls are signaled, and the future prospects of H.323.

1. Adnan MehediAdnan Mehedi : 12-95467-1: 12-95467-1
Bidhan HalderBidhan Halder : 12-95846-2: 12-95846-2
Debabrata BhowmikDebabrata Bhowmik : 11-95244-3: 11-95244-3
Khurshid AlamKhurshid Alam : 12-95403-1: 12-95403-1
Md. Habibur RahmanMd. Habibur Rahman : 11-94853-2: 11-94853-2
Tahmina AkterTahmina Akter : 12-95436-1: 12-95436-1
Islam AsifulIslam Asiful :: 11-95193-311-95193-3
PresentedPresented ByBy

2. OutlineOutline
• What is H.323What is H.323
• Scope of H.323Scope of H.323
• Why is H.323 ImportantWhy is H.323 Important
• Historical Development StagesHistorical Development Stages
• Elements of H.323 SystemElements of H.323 System
• H.323 Network ArchitectureH.323 Network Architecture
• H.323 Core ProtocolsH.323 Core Protocols
• H.323: Call SignalingH.323: Call Signaling
• Prospect/Future of H.323Prospect/Future of H.323
2

3. What is H.323What is H.323
H.323* is a multimedia conferencing protocol, which
includes voice, video and data conferencing for use
over packet-switched networks
Real-time multimedia communications and
conferencing for packet-based networks
* H.323 is “ITU-T Recommendation H.323: Packet-based multimedia
communications systems”
3

4. Scope of H.323Scope of H.323
• Point-to-point and multipoint conferencing
support
• Inter-network interoperability
• Heterogeneous client capabilities
• Audio and video codecs
• Management and accounting support
• Security
• Supplementary services
4

5. Scope of H.323Scope of H.323
5
T1524040-96
Video I/O equipment
Audio I/O equipment
User Data Applications
T.120, etc.
System Control
User Interface
Video Codec
H.261, H.263
Audio Codec
G.711, G.722,
G.723, G.728,
G.729
System Control
H.245 Control
Call Control
H.225.0
RAS Control
H.225.0
Receive
Path
Delay
H.225.0
Layer
Network
Interface
Scope of Rec. H.323

6. Why is H.323 ImportantWhy is H.323 Important
TrendTrend
Rapid growth of the Internet
Universal deployment of corporate LANs have made
packet-based networks ubiquitous
StandardizationStandardization
H.323 is a standard protocol has been widely accepted
Promotes greater awareness, availability, and
acceptability of multimedia conferencing over packet-
based networks
6

7. Why is H.323 ImportantWhy is H.323 Important
Internet workingInternet working
Bridges multimedia communications between packet-
based and switched-circuit networks (SCN)
SCN conferencing standards like H.320 (ISDN), H.321
(ATM), and H.324 (PSTN) can inter-operate with H.323
clients
Integrated servicesIntegrated services
Additional services such as e-mail, voice mail, fax, call
center functionality and video conferencing in an
integrated environment
7

8. Why is H.323 ImportantWhy is H.323 Important
InteroperabilityInteroperability
ConnectivityConnectivity
ETSI/ IMTC
ITU-T/ IETF
Recommendations
ProductsProductsCustomers
V
E
N
D
O
R
S
StandardsStandards
8

9. Development Stages of H.323Development Stages of H.323
• H.323v1 published in 1996 & designed for LAN
– Companies tried to do use H.323 in WAN, large
private VoIP networks, and the Internet
• Guess what?
• It worked very well
• H.323 was an early adopter of IETF protocols as
RTP proved ability to carry real-time audio and
video over IP networks
– Indeed, H.323 was much more than a LAN
protocol name was changed in H.323 V2 (1998)
9

10. Development Stages of H.323 (con)Development Stages of H.323 (con)
Recognizing the fact that H.323 was much more
than a LAN protocol, the name was changed in
H.323 Version 2 (1998)
Enhancements were made, including:
Security
Performance
Supplementary Services
Scalability
10

11. Development Stages of H.323 (con)Development Stages of H.323 (con)
H.323 v3 introduced a few modest improvements,
mostly geared for better PSTN integration and
scalability
New annexes were introduced:
H.323 – UDP signaling
H.323 – Simple endpoint type
H.225.0 – Communication between
administrative domains
11

12. Development Stages of H.323 (con)Development Stages of H.323 (con)
• H.323 v4 was approved Nov. 2000 and brings a
number of enhancements to H.323. Areas of focus
include:
– Scalability
– Services
– “Must Have” Features
– Generic Extensibility Framework
• Current version of H.323 commonly referred to as
"H.323v6” was published in 2006
12

13. ScalabilityScalability
Alternate Gatekeepers
By using Alternate Gatekeepers, endpoints are
able to continue functioning in the face of one
or more failures
Never Lose a Call!
T
GK GK GK GK
X
X
13

14. Scalability (con)Scalability (con)
Endpoint Capacity Reporting
By utilize endpoint capacity reporting, Gatekeepers may
select an endpoint that is best capable of handling the
call
This is extremely useful for large scale deployments of
Gateways and is also useful in call center applications
Never Lose a Call!
GK GK GK GK GK
GW
23%
GW
77%
GW
48%
GW
64%
GW
14%
GW
36%
The GK selects the GW with the most
capacity. H.323 endpoints report capacity
in absolute terms, not in percentages.
14

15. ServicesServices
Annex K – Services via HTTP
Annex L – Stimulus Control
H.450.8 – Name identification
H.450.9 – Call Completion
15

16. ““Must Have” FeaturesMust Have” Features
Usage reporting
Caller Identification
Alias mapping
Better bandwidth management (multicast)
Fax enhancements
Tunneling other protocols (Annex M.x)
H.323-specific URL
Call credit-related capabilities
DTMF relay via RTP (RFC 2833)
16

17. Generic Extensibility FrameworkGeneric Extensibility Framework
The Generic Extensibility Framework (GEF)
introduces a new means by which H.323 may be
further enhanced or extended with optional
features, which does not require changes to the
current ASN.1 syntax
Work has already begun
Robustness procedures (Annex R)
Local number portability
17

18. Components of H.323 SystemComponents of H.323 System
Terminals
what people see/hear
Multipoint Control Units (MCUs)
provides conference capabilities
Gateways
control and ‘routing’
Gatekeeper
access to other environments
Border Elements
18

19. Components of H.323 SystemComponents of H.323 System
19

20. TerminalsTerminals
An endpoint on the network which provides for
real-time, two-way communication with other
H.323 terminal, GW, or MCU
Terminal can be:
Telephones
Video phones
IVR devices
Voicemail Systems
“Soft phones” (e.g., NetMeeting®)
20
T

21. Multipoint Control Units (MCUs)Multipoint Control Units (MCUs)
Needed
only when multiparty
conferences are desired
Functions:
To manages call
signaling
Provides capability of
videoconferencing with
more than one party
Acts as a coordinator of
multiparty conferences
2121

22. Gateways (GW)Gateways (GW)
• Gateway (GW)
• used as interface H.323
between different networks
e.g. LAN & PSTN
• Functions:
• Data format translation
• Audio/video codec
translation
• Call setup, termination
from both sides of the
network
22

23. Gatekeeper (GK)Gatekeeper (GK)
Gatekeeper is an optional component in H.323 system
used for:
 Admission Control and
Address Resolution
Endpoints do register themselves at a Gatekeeper
All H.323 endpoints registered to a single GK build an
H.323 zone
H.323 zones are independent of physical network
topology
Each zone has only one GK (exception: Alternate
GKs)
23

24. Gatekeeper FunctionalityGatekeeper Functionality
Mandatory Gatekeeper Functions
Address Translation
Admission Control
Bandwidth Control
Zone Management
Optional Gatekeeper Functions
Call-Control Signaling
Call Authorization
Bandwidth Management
Call Management
24

25. Gatekeeper ZoneGatekeeper Zone
s
25
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Gateway
Zone B
Zone A
The Internet

26. Border Elements (BE)Border Elements (BE)
Co-located with Gatekeeper, Exchange addressing
information
Participate in call authorization between
administrative domains
May aggregate address information to reduce the
volume of routing information passed through the
network
May assist in call authorization/authentication
directly between two administrative domains or
via a clearinghouse
26

27. Using Elements (BE)Using Elements (BE)
27
As with hierarchical
Gatekeepers, Border
Elements may send Access
Request messages to other
Border Elements and
indicate where to send a
reply
Border Elements may also
reply directly to a request by
utilizing address
information cached from
previous exchanges with
other Border Elements
T
GK
LRQ
GK/BE
ARQ
GK/BE
AccessRequest

28. 28
Router
H.323 terminal H.323 terminal ISDN videophone
Gateway
Gateway Phone
MCU
Gatekeeper

29. Protocols of H.323Protocols of H.323
H.323 is an umbrella of four protocols:
• Registration Admission and Status (RAS)
– define communications between endpoints and gatekeeper
– only needed when a gatekeeper exists
• H.245 - Connection Control for Capability Negotiations
• H.225/Q.931- Call Signaling (between endpoint and gatekeeper, or
between gatekeepers)
• Real-time Transport Protocol(RTP) - timely and orderly
delivery of audio and video streams
29

30. H.323 Protocol stackH.323 Protocol stack
30

31. Registration Admission and Status (RAS)Registration Admission and Status (RAS)
• Defined in H.225.0
• Allows an endpoint to request authorization to
place or accept a call
• Allows a Gatekeeper to control access to and from
devices under its control
• Allows a Gatekeeper to communicate the address
of other endpoints
• Allows two Gatekeepers to easily exchange
addressing
31

32. Registration Admission and Status (con)Registration Admission and Status (con)
32
T GKRRQ
RCF
ARQ
(endpoint is registered)
ACF
(endpoint may place call)
DRQ
DCF
(call has terminated)

33. H.225H.225
H.225 Call Signaling
H.225 call signaling is used to establish a connection
between two H.323 endpoints
Achieved by exchanging H.225 protocol messages on
the call-signaling channel
call-signaling channel is opened between two H.323
endpoints or between an endpoint and gatekeeper
H.225 is the conference control protocol
Master/slave determination
Capability exchange
Management of media and data streams
33

34. RTP/RTCPRTP/RTCP
RTP/RTCP used for audio & video over IP
networks
H.225 call signaling is used to establish a connection
between two H.323 endpoints
Achieved by exchanging H.225 protocol messages on
the call-signaling channel
call-signaling channel is opened between two H.323
endpoints or between an endpoint and gatekeeper
Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP)
end-to-end network transport function
payload type, sequence number, timestamp
RTP Control Protocol (RTCP)
34

35. CODECsCODECs
Audio
G.711 (popular codec for telephone n/ws)
G.723.1 – more efficient
Video
H.261 codec (for channels with bandwidths p*64
kb/s)
H.263 codec (for low bit rate transmission without
loss of quality )
35

36. Voice over IPVoice over IP
36
Voice over IP (VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol)
commonly refers to the communication protocols,
technologies, methodologies, and transmission techniques
involved in the delivery of voice communications and
multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks,
such as the Internet.
Other terms commonly associated with VoIP are:
IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband
(VoBB), broadband telephony, IP communications, and
broadband phone.

37. Voice over IP: ProtocolsVoice over IP: Protocols
37
Voice over IP has been implemented in various ways
using both proprietary and open protocols and
standards. Examples of the network protocols used to
implement VoIP include:
 H.323
 Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)
 Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
 Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP)
 Session Description Protocol (SDP)
 Inter-Asterisk eXchange (IAX)

38. Voice over IP: Protocols (con)Voice over IP: Protocols (con)
38
H.323 protocol was one of the first VoIP protocols
found widespread implementation for long-distance
traffic, as well as local area network services.
However, since the development of newer, less
complex protocols such as MGCP and SIP, H.323
deployments are increasingly limited to carrying
existing long-haul network traffic.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) has gained
widespread VoIP market penetration.
A notable proprietary implementation is the Skype
protocol, which is in part based on the principles of
peer-to-peer (P2P) networking.

39. Voice over IP: Business useVoice over IP: Business use
39

40. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
40
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard protocol for
initiating an interactive user session that involves
multimedia elements such as video, voice, chat,
gaming, and virtual reality.
The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and
terminating two-party (unicast) or multiparty
(multicast) sessions. Sessions may consist of one or
several media streams.
Other SIP applications include video conferencing,
streaming multimedia distribution, instant
messaging, presence information, file transfer.

41. H.323 vs. SIPH.323 vs. SIP
41

42. H.323 vs. SIPH.323 vs. SIP
42

43. H.323 vs. SIPH.323 vs. SIP
43

44. H.323 vs. SIPH.323 vs. SIP
44

45. H.323: Network ArchitectureH.323: Network Architecture
LAN1LAN1 WAN
Zone-1Zone-1 Zone-2Zone-2
Simple Network Architecture of H.323
45
MCUMCU MCUMCU
GKGKGKGK
GWGW GWGW
LAN2LAN2
TETE TETE

46. H.323 Protocol ArchitectureH.323 Protocol Architecture
ControlControl DataData Audio Video AV Control GK ControlAudio Video AV Control GK Control
signal + connection
46
Q.931Q.931
/H.22/H.22
55
H.245H.245 RTCPRTCPT.120T.120 RASRAS
H.26xH.26xG.7xxG.7xx
RTPRTP
UDPUDP
IPIP
TCPTCP
Protocol Relationships in H.323

47. H.323: Call signalingH.323: Call signaling
H.323 Call signal goes through 7 Phases:
Phase Protocol
• Call admission RAS
• Call set-up Q.931
• Capability negotiation H.245
• Stable call RTP
• Channel closing H.245
• Call tear-down Q.931
• Call disengage RAS
““Fast
Fast
connect”
connect”
““Fast
Fast
connect”
connect”
47

48. H.323 Call Signaling ModelH.323 Call Signaling Model
• Direct Call Model
- Gatekeeper optional
• Gatekeeper Routed Call Model
48

49. Direct Call ModelDirect Call Model
49
optionalGatekeeper
Cloud
Terminal
Endpoint 1
Q.931
H.245
RTP
RAS RAS
Terminal
Endpoint 2

50. Gatekeeper Routed Call ModelGatekeeper Routed Call Model
50
Gatekeeper
Cloud
Terminal
Endpoint 1
Terminal
Endpoint 2
Q.931
H.245
RTP
RAS
Q.931
H.245
RAS

51. Basic Call set-up with No GatekeeperBasic Call set-up with No Gatekeeper
51
t

52. Call set-up with Gatekeeper RoutingCall set-up with Gatekeeper Routing
t
52
Connect
ARQ
ACF
ACF
Alerting
Alerting
Set-upSet-up
Call Presiding
Connect
ARQ
GW GWGK

53. Call set-up with Gatekeeper RoutingCall set-up with Gatekeeper Routing
t
53

54. Security Issue in H.323Security Issue in H.323
in H.323 v1
H.235 Security protocols ITU
authentication: end-point authentication
integrity: validation within a packet
privacy: encryption and decryption mechanism
non-repudiation: false denial of participation
54

55. Call Enhancement in H.323Call Enhancement in H.323
H.323 v2 & v3
H.450 on top of Q.931
H.450.1 – Generic functional protocols and procedures [v1]
H.450.2 – Call Transfer [v2]
H.450.3 – Call Diversion
H.450.4 – Call Hold
H.450.5 – Call Park and Pick-up [v3]
H.450.6 – Message Waiting indication
H.450.7 – Call Waiting
H.450.8 – Name Identification[v4]
H.450.9 – Call Completion
H.450.10 – Call Offer
H.450.11 – Call Intrusion and so on…
55

56. H.323: Market TodayH.323: Market Today
Today the biggest market for H.323 applications is
Voice over IP.
Why?
Low bit-rate Internet connections make video and data
intensive applications less appealing
It’s a young industry– and with all such industries, it
takes time to mature good products
Companies can provide VoIP services today at a low
cost and provide new competition to the incumbent
carriers
56

57. H.323: The Changing MarketH.323: The Changing Market
Tomorrow, expect to see video and data
conferencing to become more pervasive
Broadband connectivity is making it possible
Video and data are logically the next services
customers expect to find in conference rooms and on
their computer screens
57

58. H.323: Beyond Voice over IPH.323: Beyond Voice over IP
Voice over IP opens the door to the next generation
of communication products
It will take some time to migrate the world from
PSTN to IP networks
H.323 provides excellent interworking between IP
networks and the PSTN
H.323 provides a strong foundation for new multimedia
products and services
58

59. H.323: IP TelephonyH.323: IP Telephony
• IP Telephony with H.323 truly means Multimedia
over IP
• IP Telephony is not Just Research Topic Anymore
– is now real… there are many deployed products and
services that offer IP Telephony services
– new kinds of services are now available to customers
using IP Telephony that were never possible before
59

60. H.323: Makes All PossibleH.323: Makes All Possible
H.323 makes it possible to create and deploy new
services quickly and to take advantage of
multimedia capabilities
These services can embrace audio, video, and
data conferencing
- Application Sharing - Electronic Whiteboard - File Transfer
- Instant Messaging - Click to Dial - Internet Call Waiting
- Web Call Parking - Call No-Waiting - Ad-Hoc Conferencing
- Voicemail Anywhere - Unified Messaging - Service Portability
- Services! - Services! - Services!
60

61. H.323: for Service ProviderH.323: for Service Provider
H.323 is a proven technology that is utilized in
large networks, such as Genuity, iBasis, ITXC,
China Unicom, and others
Excellent integration with the PSTN
Gateways and residential devices are in use today
61

62. H.323: in the EnterpriseH.323: in the Enterprise
Multimedia conferencing devices show the real
potential of H.323 and multimedia communication
With H.323 in the service provider network, H.323 is
a logical choice for the enterprise
The enterprise customer wants voice, video, and data
conferencing capabilities
62

63. Importance of H.323Importance of H.323
Interoperability - H.323 establishes methods for receiving
clients to communicate capabilities to the sender
Network independence - H.323 is not tied to any
hardware or operating system
H.323 sets multimedia standards for the existing
infrastructure (i.e. IP-based networks)
H.323 conference can include endpoints with different
capabilities
H.323 provides multiple audio and video CODECs that
format data according to the requirements of various
networks, using different bit rates, delays, and quality
options.
63

64. Importance of H.323 (con)Importance of H.323 (con)
Although H.323 can support conferences of three or more
endpoints without requiring a specialized multipoint
control unit, MCU's provide a more powerful and flexible
architecture for hosting multipoint conferences
Although H.323 can support conferences of three or more
endpoints without requiring a specialized multipoint
control unit, MCU's provide a more powerful and flexible
architecture for hosting multipoint conferences
H.323 supports multicast transport in multipoint
conferences
H.323 has the support of many computing and
communications companies and organizations
64

65. H.323: Pros and ConsH.323: Pros and Cons
65

66. Recommendation AnnexesRecommendation Annexes
H.323
Annex C – H.323 over ATM
Annex D – H.323 FAX
Annex E – UDP operation
Annex F – Simple Endpoints
Annex J – Security for Simple endpoints
Annex K – HTTP based call control
Annex M – Tunneling of QSIG in H.323
H.225.0
Annex G – Inter-Domain Communications
Annex H – ASN.1 Syntax
66

67. ConclusionConclusion
H.323 is a protocol that leverages the strength
of the packet-switched protocols from the
IETF
Offers excellent integration with the PSTN
H.323 enables voice, video, and data
conferencing
H.323 provides a solid foundation for new
services and the continued growth of
Multimedia over IP
67

68. AcronymsAcronyms
• ARQ –Admission Request message
• BE – Border Element
• GEF – Generic Extensibility Framework
• GK – Gatekeeper
• GW – Gateway
• IETF – Internet Engineering Task Force
• IMTC – International Multimedia Telecommunications
Consortium
• IP – Internet Protocol
• IVR – Interactive Voice Response
• LAN – Local Area Network
• LRQ – H.225.0 Location Request message
• MCU – Multipoint Control UnitMC – Multipoint Controller
• MG – Media Gateway
• MGC – Media Gateway Controller
• MP – Multipoint Processor
• PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network
68

69. AcronymsAcronyms
• RFC – Request for Comments
• RTP – Real-Time Transport Protocol
• RTCP – Real-time Transport Control Protocol
• TCS – H.245 Terminal Capability Set message
• UDP – User Datagram Protocol
• URL – Uniform Resource Locator
• VoIP – Voice over IP
• MC – Multipoint Controller
• MG – Media Gateway
• MGC – Media Gateway Controller
• MP – Multipoint Processor
• PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network
• RFC – Request for Comments
• RTP – Real-Time Transport Protocol
• RTCP – Real-time Transport Control Protocol
• TCS – H.245 Terminal Capability Set message
• UDP – User Datagram Protocol
• URL – Uniform Resource Locator
• VoIP – Voice over IP
69

70. AcknowledgementAcknowledgement
• http://www.ip-voip.com/VOIP-protocols-h323-vs-SIP.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP
• http://www.javvin.com/protocolH323.html
• http://www.h323.org/
• http://www.packetizer.com/ipmc/h323_vs_sip/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.323
• http://www.pulsewan.com/data101/h323_basics.htm
• http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk1077/technologies_t
ech_note09186a00800c5e0d.shtml
70

71. Questions ?Questions ?
Thank You
for
Kind Attention
71