What is IP video and how does it work?

Directory Services

Coupled with the Dial Plan is Directory Service, which is essentially a virtual phone book containing information about every available IP video unit on the network. Whether active or not, each registered IP video unit will have its unique number stored in the Directory Service database. Without such a service, each user would have to contact the person they want to reach to obtain information about how to connect with them. After the exchange of information, one party can call the other. This process would have to be repeated for every desired endpoint. Eventually each IP video user would have their own personal directory, which would always be incomplete and require frequent updates. A centralized directory service solves this problem by having everyone on the network register with it. The administrator enters the appropriate information for each endpoint, which then becomes accessible to all users on the network.

Click to Meet (CTM) is the interface for scheduling calls and programming over IP video. Sites are registered in the CTM database through the process of endpoint certification. A Web interface provides access to this "virtual phonebook." CTM can tell when an endpoint is or is not available for a call, and can then make the connection by having the user simply select the desired endpoint. For third-party programming such as Vision Athena, you will follow the existing scheduling procedures for that content provider.

Learn more about Directory Services