(Continuation of parts of Q.14/16)

Background and justification

ITU-T Study Group 16 has created in H.323 a widely-used system of protocols for MM conferencing and video telephony over packet networks, including the Internet and LANs. This work is ongoing, and currently focuses on mobility, interactions with SS7/IN/H.450, and stimulus-based call signalling in H.323 combined with network control of terminating call services. These systems require a supporting infrastructure of MCUs, Gatekeepers, Gateways, MIBs (management information bases), and management tools and methods. Possible future terminals will also make use of this infrastructure, or an extension of it.

In addition, H.248 decomposes an H.246 gateway into a Media Gateway Controller and a Media Gateway to facilitate interfacing system to SS7/IN networks, and also for other purposes. The ongoing development of H.248 will be a major work area in ITU-T in the future study period. This work is being done in cooperation with the IETF.

Study Items

This question considers protocol infrastructure for H.323 and for possible future terminals, including:

1) MCUs;

2) GKs;

3) GWs, including H.248;

4) annexes of H.246 that related to SS7/IN interoperability;

5) annexes of H.246 that relate to H.323 to PSTN interoperability;

6) H.323 to H.323 gateways;

7) MIBs, including H.341;

8) management tools and methods related to H.341;

9) H.245.

Specific task objectives with expected time-frame of completion

• Updates to H.245.
• H.248 V2 and related annexes.
• Annexes to H.246.

Relationships

• All framework questions in SG 16 on high rate systems.
• Question 2/16 on H.323.
• IETF for Internet matters including MEGACO and IPTEL working groups.
• ATM Forum and SG 11 for ATM QoS.
• SG 16 on Mediacom 2004 Project.
• SG 13 on IP and GII Projects.