Desktop videoconferencing : a network study

This thesis deals with desktop videoconference systems and their related issues. Specifically, it attempts to resolve compatibility issues among various systems currently in use by investigating available communication standards and makes recommendations for future deployment. In order to carry out these goals, a review of the available literature and some experimentation was conducted.

The literature review describes different communications switching techniques, acquiring and processing images, and transport protocols over various types of physical networks. This work also investigates and experiments with some of the available videoconferencing systems that fit into a university campus environment. Through a structured approach to deployment, desktop videoconferencing offers improved collaboration among faculty, staff, and students.