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Latest implementers guide?
by Jan Holm 31 Mar '99

31 Mar '99

Where can I find the latest implementers guide? Is it updated updated according to the Monterey meeting yet? /Regards Jan Holm Ericsson Telecom AB

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Re: H.320 gateways
by Brian Rosen 31 Mar '99

31 Mar '99

I'm in favor of the second approach. You could have a termination class H.320 with H.320/audio H.320/video and H.320/T.120. There would be 3 contexts, each with different media. There is a slight ugliness where the termination class would define all the parameters for all of the streams as one big list, and each of the terminations would have all of them. Unfortunate, but it works. Christian did not want to infer anything from the name. We would need to have some way for the MG to know which media was on which termination if we couldn't infer it from the name. I like this approach because from the MGC, whether the three streams are on one gateway, or multiple gateways, it operates on them the same way, only the names are changed (to protect the innocent). The MG is built differently in these cases, but I don't see any way around that. BTW, the H.320 stream could be multi-ported, so you could have H.320/7/video. > -----Original Message----- > From: John Segers [ mailto:jsegers@lucent.com <mailto:jsegers@lucent.com> ] > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 10:27 AM > To: megaco(a)BayNetworks.COM; ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.cps.intel.com > Subject: H.320 gateways > > > People, > > In yesterday's conference call, the subject of H.320 GWs was raised > briefly. In my opinion, the connection model and protocol > should be able > to deal with H.320. I would like to continue discussion on it on the > mailing list. > > H.320 allows a user to have a session with both audio and video on a > single 64 kbit/s channel such as an ISDN B-channel. The same channel > carries some signalling information (frame alignment, bitrate > allocation). To a MG supporting H.320, this means that on a single > endpoint, three streams can come in, carrying different types > of media. > The current connection model of megaco/H.gcp does not cater > to this. I > see two possible solutions: > > The first is to allow multiple media in one context and to > describe for > terminations the logical streams they carry. In a picture: > > +----------+ > | | > | +--------- signalling (FAS, BAS) > | | > B-channel ==========+ +--------- audio (16 kbit/s) > | | > | +--------- video (46.4 kbit/s) > | | > +----------+ > > The second solution is to have separate terminations for the different > streams. They would all "connect to" the same physical endpoint. In > order to properly identify the terminations, it is necessary to have > logical names for them. The physical endpoint they connect > may have the > hierarchical name proposed in the megaco document. > > Another example of a H.320 session is the case of two B-channels being > used for an audiovisual call. The following frame structure is then > possible. > > +--------------------------++-----------------------+ > | Channel 1 || Channel 2 | > +-----+--+--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+ > |Bit 1|B2|B3|B4|B5|B6|B7|B8||B1|B2|B3|B4|B5|B6|B7|B8| > +-----+--+--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+ > 1 | a1 |a2|a3|a4|a5|a6|v1|F ||v2|v3|v4|v5|v6|v7|v8|F | > 2 | a7 |a8|a9|a |a |a |v9|F ||v |v |v |v |v |v |v |F | > 3 | a |a |a |a |a |a |v |F ||v |v |v |v |v |v |v |F | > 4 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | > 5 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | > 6 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | > 7 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | > 8 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | > +---------------------------------------------------+ > 9 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 10 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 11 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 12 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 13 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 14 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 15 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > 16 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | > +---------------------------------------------------+ > 17 | a | | | | |a |v |v ||v | |v |v | > . > . > . > 80 | a | | | | |a |v |v ||v | |v |v | > +---------------------------------------------------+ > > (a=audio, v=video, F=FAS, B=BAS). > > We see that the video stream is split up over two channels. > In order to > cater to this, it seems we have to allow terminations to receive media > from and send it to multiple physical endpoints. The two approaches > outlined above can both be extended to allow this. Both > extensions will > lead to the introduction of logical names for terminations. In the > first approach there will be one termination "containing" two > B-channels > on one side and three logical streams on the other. In the second > approach there will be three terminations, the one for the > video stream > referencing both B-channels, the ones for signalling and audio > referencing only channel 1. > > The second approach allows us to keep separate contexts for different > media types. It is then easy to delete, for instance, the > video part of > a session (session used loosely to desribe the contexts for the audio > and video). > > The first approach groups the streams coming from/going to one user, > making it possible to remove a user from a context more easily. > > > Personally, I can't decide which approach I would prefer. > How do others > feel about these ideas? > > Regards, > > John Segers > -- > John Segers email: jsegers(a)lucent.com > Lucent Technologies Room HE 344 > Dept. Forward Looking Work phone: +31 35 687 4724 > P.O. Box 18, 1270 AA Huizen fax: +31 35 687 5954 >

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Re: Multimedia (was Re: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call minutes)
by Roni Even 31 Mar '99

31 Mar '99

I want to add the issue of T.120 to the multimedia discussion. An effort is made in SG16 Q3 to try to develop T.120 as the control interface for audio graphic conferences using PSTN. So far we talk about h.323 and H.245 but what about T.120 Roni Even Accord Video Telecommunication. email:roni_e@accord.co.il -----Original Message----- From: John Segers <jsegers(a)LUCENT.COM> To: ITU-SG16(a)MAILBAG.INTEL.COM <ITU-SG16(a)MAILBAG.INTEL.COM> Date: éåí øáéòé 31 îøõ 1999 14:13 Subject: Re: Multimedia (was Re: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call minutes) >Mauricio, > >You are right that single medium contexts are simpler to reason about >services and call flows. But we must take care that we don't end up >with a protocol that cannot be extended to cover multimedia GWs. If >multimedia applications are within scope, the protocol document should >not contain a connection model that handles only audio. > >What do others think? Is multimedia in the scope of megaco/H.gcp? And >if so, is Paul's proposal general enough? Doesn't it lead to too much >overhead for single media GWs? I'd be interested to hear opinions. > >John Segers > >"Arango, Mauricio" wrote: >> >> Please disregard my previous message which by mistake I sent without erasing >> editing. Apologies to the list members. >> >> Paul, >> >> I understand the rationale for your multiple media context. My preference is >> the single medium context because it seems simpler for thinking about >> services and call flows. This seems to require more discussion. I suggest we >> advance the protocol as proposed with single-medium contexts and revisit >> this later if necessary. >> >> Mauricio >> >> > -----Original Message----- >> > From: Paul Sijben [mailto:sijben@lucent.com] >> > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 2:45 PM >> > To: Arango, Mauricio >> > Cc: 'Greene, Nancy-M [CAR:5N10:EXCH]'; 'ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com'; >> > 'megaco(a)baynetworks.com' >> > Subject: Multimedia (was Re: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call >> > minutes) >> > >> > >> > Mauricio, >> > >> > you write: >> > > It could be good idea to have some entity that ties >> > together multiple >> > > contexts, this was our experience in the Touring Machine >> > and we referred to >> > > it as "session". However, it may not be necessary for the >> > most common audio >> > > only operations, and for the sake of simplicity it may be >> > better to leave it >> > > as an option. >> > >> > I think you are absolutely right. We have been doing some >> > work on that and >> > have come up with the following which seems like a sensible >> > extention to >> > the H.gcp/MEGACOP work: >> > >> > Problem definition: >> > For multimedia calls you will have multiple media streams >> > representing >> > each of the users. these streams need to be appropriately >> > processed (maybe >> > mixed or something more clever) and synchronised. >> > >> > The current definition in the MEGACO I-D specifies that each >> > context only >> > has one type of medium. This makes the logical grouping of >> > terminations >> > belonging to one user difficult, creates issues with synchronisation >> > between media. It also makes it difficult to remove one user >> > or an entire >> > conference in one command. >> > >> > We have gone over several possible solutions, you can group >> > terminations >> > per user, and/or per medium and/or make some kind of links between >> > terminations or contexts which signify the synchronisation. >> > >> > What seems like a workable model is to allow multiple media >> > in one context >> > and have a matrix binding the terminations to the right >> > medium/user. So you >> > would get something like: >> > >> > context >> > >> > medium1 | M2 | ....| Mn >> > ------------------------------ >> > user1 | x | | | x >> > user2 | | x | | x >> > .......... >> > usern | x | x >> > where x==termination >> > >> > such a matrix could be a "scap paper" used by the MGW and MC >> > to keep track >> > of to which user and which medium each termination belongs. >> > One could set a >> > flag on terminations that one wants to synchronise. >> > >> > Naturally you would not need this for simple voice gateways so the >> > extentions needed to the protocol for this youl be optional. >> > >> > The extentions would look like: >> > >> > Commands: >> > We now have a command structure that states: >> > >> > ContextID >> > *Command(TerminationID ....) >> > >> > we would get: >> > >> > ContextID >> > [UserID] >> > *command( [MediaID] Termination ID....) >> > >> > so for example: >> > ContextID=3 >> > UserID=2 >> > add (MediaID=Video3, TerminationID=RTP:32424, ....) >> > modify (MediaID=Video3, TerminationID=*, SychWith:MediaID=Audio2) >> > >> > etc. >> > >> > A context could have the following properties: >> > - mode (unidirectional, bidirectional, mix, choose...) >> > - maxNumberOfUsers (e.g. 3) >> > - maxNumberOfMedia (e.g. 1 for a simple voice gateway) >> > >> > This extention would allow the removal of one medium or one >> > user from a >> > conference but not hamper "simple" operations. >> > >> > Paul >> > >> > "Arango, Mauricio" wrote: >> > > >> > > Nancy, >> > > >> > > Thanks for preparing the minutes. >> > > >> > > > >> > > > b. Raised by Mauricio Arango: you may want to be able to >> > > > create a context >> > > > with parameters before adding any terminations to it - (e.g. >> > > > turing machine) >> > > >> > > I want to clarify that I was not referring to Alan Turing's >> > grand work but >> > > to something colleagues and I did some years ago in >> > multimedia call control, >> > > called "Touring Machine". This effort developed a >> > connection model similar >> > > to the one in MEGACO's protocol and could be worth keeping >> > in mind as >> > > previous experience to help this effort. >> > > >> > > The January 1993 of the Communications of the ACM has an >> > article on the >> > > Touring Machine. Following is an excerpt desribing its >> > connection model >> > > (page 71): >> > > >> > > "The logical topology of a session is specified as a set of >> > typed connectors >> > > (see Figure 2). A connector represents a multiway transport >> > connection among >> > > endpoints (logical ports). A connection is an abstraction of a >> > > communications bridge, including point-to-point (two way) as well as >> > > multipoint connections. Since bridging is a medium-specific >> > operation, >> > > connectors are typed by medium. A session may have one or >> > more connectors >> > > per medium, with souce and sink endpoints from >> > participating clients. An >> > > endpoint represents a connector termination point. Endpoints are >> > > distinguished by medium, direction of flow, and the client >> > receiving or >> > > providing transport." >> > > >> > > In the above excerpt a "connector" is equivalent to >> > MEGACO's context and an >> > > "endpoint" is equivalent to MEGACO's termination. >> > > >> > > > c. Raised by a few people: we need to see whether we need a >> > > > meta definition >> > > > of a "call" in the MG, so that the MG can link together >> > > > related contexts. >> > > > May be needed for lipsynch between a call's video context and >> > > > its audio >> > > > context. Instead of introducing a callId, this could be done using >> > > > parameters on each context referring to the other one. >> > > > Benefit of a callId >> > > > is that the MGC can bring down the entire call by just >> > > > referring to the >> > > > callId. (Note: "call" may be the wrong word - if we need it, >> > > > let's try to >> > > > invent a new name). >> > > > >> > > >> > > It could be good idea to have some entity that ties >> > together multiple >> > > contexts, this was our experience in the Touring Machine >> > and we referred to >> > > it as "session". However, it may not be necessary for the >> > most common audio >> > > only operations, and for the sake of simplicity it may be >> > better to leave it >> > > as an option. >> > > >> > > Regards, >> > > >> > > Mauricio Arango >> > > >> > > > -----Original Message----- >> > > > From: Greene, Nancy-M [CAR:5N10:EXCH] >> > > > [mailto:ngreene@americasm01.nt.com] >> > > > Sent: Monday, March 29, 1999 8:54 PM >> > > > To: 'ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com'; 'megaco(a)baynetworks.com' >> > > > Subject: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call minutes >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Here are the minutes from the call today. Please email me any >> > > > corrections. I >> > > > tried to pair comments made with the person that made them - >> > > > I may have made >> > > > some errors, and I know I missed the names of some of the >> > > > people commenting. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Nancy (ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com) >> > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- >> > > > >> > > > Megaco Protocol presentation to IETF megaco and ITU SG16 >> > participants >> > > > March 29/99 10am-12pm EST >> > > > ================================================= >> > > > >> > > > Present: The number of ports being used went as high as 47, >> > > > and was about 45 >> > > > on average. Number of participants was higher since a number >> > > > of people were >> > > > sharing ports. >> > > > >> > > > Chair of the call: Glen Freundlich (ggf(a)lucent.com) >> > > > Minutes: taken by Nancy Greene (ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com) >> > > > >> > > > NOTE: In keeping with IETF and ITU procedures, the audio call >> > > > cannot make >> > > > binding decisions. It is a tool for the chairs and >> > editors, and the >> > > > participants of both the IETF and ITU working groups, to >> > > > gauge support for >> > > > the protocol, and to raise issues with the protocol. Issues >> > > > may be raised in >> > > > either an audio call, or on the mailing list >> > > > (megaco(a)baynetworks.com) These >> > > > minutes are going to both the Megaco and ITU-SG16 mailing lists. >> > > > >> > > > Meeting summary: >> > > > -------------------------- >> > > > Glen Freundlich summed up results of the meeting. The goal of >> > > > the meeting >> > > > was two fold: >> > > > 1) it was the first opportunity for people to look at the >> > > > output from the >> > > > Megaco protocol design/drafting group. >> > > > 2) it was an opportunity for people to pose questions on >> > the draft. >> > > > >> > > > He saw no opposition to the connection model proposed in the >> > > > Megaco protocol >> > > > I-D >> > > > (ftp://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-megaco-protocol >> > > > -00.txt). >> > > > To date, the Megaco protocol I-D has been run through audio >> > > > call scenarios >> > > > for 3-way call, for call waiting, ... However, it needs to be >> > > > tested with >> > > > multimedia scenarios. Any input in this area is appreciated. >> > > > >> > > > Because there seems to be agreement on the connection model, >> > > > Bryan Hill, the >> > > > H.gcp editor, will start pulling related sections from the >> > > > Megaco protocol >> > > > I-D into H.gcp. >> > > > >> > > > Glen will hold another audio call next week to see where we >> > > > stand, and to >> > > > look towards adding more sections to H.gcp from the Megaco >> > > > protocol I-D. >> > > > >> > > > For the ITU-T SG16 May meeting, H.gcp needs to contain: >> > > > - a connection model >> > > > - a set of commands >> > > > - a start on parameters for those commands >> > > > - generic syntax >> > > > - and a list of issues to resolve. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Protocol timetable: >> > > > -------------------------- >> > > > IETF Megaco: >> > > > - Proposed Standard by summer/99 >> > > > - interoperability testing in fall/99 >> > > > - Draft Standard in Feb/2000 >> > > > >> > > > This matches up closely with the ITU-T SG16 schedule: >> > > > - planning to get H.gcp determined in May/99 >> > > > - planning to get H.gcp decided in Feb/2000 >> > > > >> > > > IETF/ITU collaboration: >> > > > ------------------------------- >> > > > Question raised: will the two protocols be identical? >> > > > >> > > > Tom Taylor proposes two options: >> > > > 1) SG16 and Megaco completely agree on the protocol >> > > > requirements. If this is >> > > > the case, the protocol will be identical >> > > > >> > > > 2) Each group has some requirements that are different from >> > > > the other group. >> > > > In this case, there would be agreement on a core >> > protocol, and then >> > > > additional parts would be defined by each group. >> > > > >> > > > BUT how to do this in practice? Tom said that if a huge >> > > > roadblock comes up >> > > > again, we would form a new design team to work out a solution. >> > > > >> > > > Tom asked whether the group on the call agreed that the >> > > > Megaco protocol I-D >> > > > was a reasonable basis for H.gcp. Feeling was that it is, but >> > > > that we need >> > > > to do multimedia call walkthroughs. Mike Buckley had some >> > > > concern about the >> > > > definition of a context, but thought that the basic model >> > is workable. >> > > > Mauricio Arango thought it was a good model for multimedia. >> > > > Ami Amir raised >> > > > issue about associating contexts. Glen asked the H.320 >> > > > experts to look at >> > > > the protocol and see if we need to modify the connection model. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Next audio call: >> > > > ---------------------- >> > > > Probably next Thursday April 8/99, same time. Confirmation of >> > > > date & time >> > > > and the call details will be out later this week. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > Use of mailing lists: >> > > > --------------------------- >> > > > It was agreed that we would try to keep all technical >> > > > discussion of the >> > > > Megaco protocol on the megaco(a)baynetworks.com mailing list. >> > > > >> > > > Invitations to audio calls, and audio call minutes will be >> > > > sent to both the >> > > > megaco(a)baynetworks.com and to the ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com >> > > > mailing lists. >> > > > >> > > > Tom Taylor took the action of posting to each list, how to >> > > > join the other >> > > > one. >> > > > >> > > > Detailed minutes: >> > > > ------------------------ >> > > > Brian Rosen presented the Megaco protocol draft >> > > > (ftp://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-megaco-protocol >> > > > -00.txt). He >> > > > first noted that this draft is open for discussion. It is not >> > > > cast in stone. >> > > > If changes need to be made to any part, they will be >> > made, if they are >> > > > deemed necessary to satisfy the requirements of the protocol, >> > > > and agreed to >> > > > by the group. >> > > > >> > > > 1. New connection model >> > > > - concept of a termination - have permanent (e.g. DS0) and >> > > > ephemeral (e.g. >> > > > RTP port) terminations >> > > > - a termination is named with a terminationId, this name can >> > > > have wildcards, >> > > > for example to allow the MG to choose the actual physical >> > > > termination, or to >> > > > request notification of an event that occurs on any DS0 >> > > > - concept of a context - can add, subtract, modify >> > terminations in a >> > > > context. A context is created when the first termination is >> > > > added to it, and >> > > > goes away when the last termination is subtracted from it. >> > > > - a context can have parameters associated with it - for >> > > > example, a video >> > > > mixing context may have parameters to describe how the video >> > > > is to be mixed >> > > > - mosaic, or current speaker/last speaker, ... >> > > > - a termination class defines parameters on a typical >> > > > termination - e.g. DS0 >> > > > Termination Class, RTP Termination Class >> > > > - Signals can be attached to a termination class, events can >> > > > occur at a >> > > > termination class, and the MGC can specify which ones it >> > wants to be >> > > > notified about. >> > > > - packages define signals and events >> > > > - a termination class can have more than one package that >> > apply to it >> > > > - event naming structure allows package name to be put in >> > > > front of the event >> > > > name >> > > > - question: how do you apply a call waiting tone? - answer - >> > > > it is a signal >> > > > that you apply to a termination >> > > > >> > > > 1.1 Proposed Changes and Issues: >> > > > a. Tom Taylor proposed a more general definition for >> > context: every >> > > > termination in a context has connectivity with all other >> > > > terminations in the >> > > > context. >> > > > >> > > > b. Raised by Mauricio Arango: you may want to be able to >> > > > create a context >> > > > with parameters before adding any terminations to it - (e.g. >> > > > turing machine) >> > > > - may want to mark a context with the max # of terminations >> > > > at creation >> > > > time. - BUT this may bring lack of flexibility - may be >> > > > better to let the MG >> > > > decide, as new terminations are added to a context, whether >> > > > it is able to >> > > > mix them in. For example, instead of marking a context with >> > > > one particular >> > > > type of codec, it is more flexible to let the MG decide what >> > > > transcoding >> > > > needs to be done in a context as a function of the types of >> > > > terminations >> > > > added to it. >> > > > >> > > > c. Raised by a few people: we need to see whether we need a >> > > > meta definition >> > > > of a "call" in the MG, so that the MG can link together >> > > > related contexts. >> > > > May be needed for lipsynch between a call's video context and >> > > > its audio >> > > > context. Instead of introducing a callId, this could be done using >> > > > parameters on each context referring to the other one. >> > > > Benefit of a callId >> > > > is that the MGC can bring down the entire call by just >> > > > referring to the >> > > > callId. (Note: "call" may be the wrong word - if we need it, >> > > > let's try to >> > > > invent a new name). >> > > > >> > > > d. Raised by Steve Davies: with H.320, the MG has one >> > > > physical termination >> > > > with audio, video and data on it - can a termination be in >> > > > more than one >> > > > context? no - so need to separate the different media out of >> > > > this physical >> > > > termination before creating the contexts. >> > > > >> > > > e. Raised by Tom Taylor: need to see whether it is >> > feasible to have >> > > > decomposed H.320 gateways - if it is necessary (people say >> > > > yes), then need >> > > > to be sure the Megaco protocol can handle it. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > 2. Commands >> > > > - grouped into commands within an action per context, and >> > one or more >> > > > actions are grouped into a transaction. Transaction is >> > all or nothing. >> > > > - Add, Modify, Subtract each can contain local and remote >> > terminiation >> > > > descriptors, signalling descriptor, an events descriptor, and >> > > > a digit map >> > > > descriptor >> > > > - question on how to change an event description for a >> > > > termination - answer: >> > > > use Modify - can do it within a context, or outside a context >> > > > - if it is >> > > > outside the context (i.e. using the NULL context), then that >> > > > is how you >> > > > change the default parameters for that termination. >> > > > - MGCP's NotificationRequest is now covered in Modify >> > > > >> > > > 3. Multimedia and Contexts and Terminations >> > > > - a termination only belongs to one context >> > > > - for multimedia, there is one context per media type >> > > > - just as you have separate RTP flows for different media >> > > > types, you have >> > > > separate contexts. >> > > > >> > > > 3.1 Issues >> > > > a. Paul Sijben noted that when you try to use the Megaco >> > protocol with >> > > > H.320, there may be problems with the model - Paul will bring >> > > > these up on >> > > > the mailing list. >> > > > >> > > > Also, see Issue c in 1.1 above. >> > > > >> > > > 4. H.245 & SDP >> > > > - Tom Taylor explained that H.245 has at least 2 purposes: 1) >> > > > for capability >> > > > negotiation, and 2) for specification of open logical >> > > > channel. The scope of >> > > > the Megaco protocol is 2). Capability negotiation may use >> > > > H.245 between >> > > > MGCs, but the Megaco protocol is between MGC and MG. SDP may >> > > > be good enough >> > > > to be used between the MGC and the MG. Discussion still open >> > > > here. Need to >> > > > allow for an environment where H.245 may not be involved. >> > > > - with H.263 - H.245 provides a tag to link together 2 RTP >> > > > streams - need to >> > > > be able to carry this tag from the MGC to the MG. >> > > > >> > > > 5. underspecifying termination descriptors >> > > > - can be used as a way to tell the MG to use default >> > values for the >> > > > termination >> > > > - a termination learns its default values at MG boot-up time >> > > > - MGC can change these values using Modify with context >> > set to NULL. >> > > > >> > > > 6. underspecifying terminationIds >> > > > - provides a way of setting default parameters for a T1 >> > for example >> > > > >> > > > 7. Case: two audio contexts - in different MGs, and in the same MG >> > > > - can the connection model handle this? Yes >> > > > - protocol should need to keep track of where resources are. >> > > > - it is up to the MGC to know what contexts are associated >> > > > with a call. >> > > > >> > > > 8. overview of Audit, Notify, ServiceChange >> > > > - ServiceChange - MG can use it upon reboot, to register >> > > > itself with an MGC >> > > > - MG knows which MGC to send this msg to from some method >> > > > outside the scope >> > > > of this protocol (pre-provisioned, for example). >> > > > - MGC learns capabilities of MG using Audit. - can learn codecs >> > > > >> > > > 8.1 Issue >> > > > - need a way for MGC to learn the QUANTITY of codecs an MG has! >> > > > >> > > > 9. overview of Security >> > > > - this is security between an MGC and an MG >> > > > - interim method is specified for when an MG does not have IPSEC >> > > > >> > > > 10. Question on scope of the protocol >> > > > - check the requirements draft: >> > > > ftp://standards.nortelnetworks.com/megaco/docs/minn99 >> > > > - Steve Davies brought up point that some aspects of the >> > > > Megaco protocol >> > > > overlap with Policy server protocol proposals. >> > > > >> > > > 11. Can MG do coded renegotiation? >> > > > - David Featherstone asked if an MG can negotiate use of a >> > > > new codec on its >> > > > own >> > > > - Brian Rosen answered that with AAL2 profiles, the MG can >> > > > >> > > > Issue: >> > > > a. MGC may need to be involved - for example if the Quality >> > > > goes down too >> > > > low, call may no longer be billable. Solution - create an >> > > > event to notify >> > > > the MGC for this case. >> > > > >> > > > 12. How does the MGC find out RTP interfaces? >> > > > - should be able to do this using Audit in the NULL context. >> > > > >> > > > 13. IVR - still open for discussion >> > > > - view IVR as a termination >> > > > - issue is how much signalling effort do you need to add to >> > > > the protocol? >> > > > - simply playing msgs is ok - they just look like events >> > > > - problem is when you want to put time and money values into >> > > > it for example, >> > > > you have x minutes left on your calling card. - this may be >> > > > out of the scope >> > > > of the Megaco protocol >> > > > >> > > > 14. QoS reservation >> > > > - needs more discussion >> > > > >> > > > ****see Meeting summary above for audio call conclusions. >> > > > >> > > > end of minutes. >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- >> > > > ------------ >> > > > Nancy M. Greene >> > > > Internet & Service Provider Networks, Nortel Networks >> > > > T:514-271-7221 (internal:ESN853-1077) E:ngreene@nortelnetworks.com >> > > > >> > >> > -- >> > Paul Sijben Telno:+ 31 35 687 4774 Fax:+31 35 687 5954 >> > Lucent Technologies Home telno: +31 33 4557522 >> > Forward Looking Work e-mail: sijben(a)lucent.com >> > Huizen, The Netherlands internal http://hzsgp68.nl.lucent.com/ >> > > >-- >John Segers email: jsegers(a)lucent.com >Lucent Technologies Room HE 344 >Dept. Forward Looking Work phone: +31 35 687 4724 >P.O. Box 18, 1270 AA Huizen fax: +31 35 687 5954 >

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Re: Multimedia (was Re: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call min utes)
by Arango, Mauricio 31 Mar '99

31 Mar '99

Please disregard my previous message which by mistake I sent without erasing editing. Apologies to the list members. Paul, I understand the rationale for your multiple media context. My preference is the single medium context because it seems simpler for thinking about services and call flows. This seems to require more discussion. I suggest we advance the protocol as proposed with single-medium contexts and revisit this later if necessary. Mauricio > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul Sijben [mailto:sijben@lucent.com] > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 2:45 PM > To: Arango, Mauricio > Cc: 'Greene, Nancy-M [CAR:5N10:EXCH]'; 'ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com'; > 'megaco(a)baynetworks.com' > Subject: Multimedia (was Re: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call > minutes) > > > Mauricio, > > you write: > > It could be good idea to have some entity that ties > together multiple > > contexts, this was our experience in the Touring Machine > and we referred to > > it as "session". However, it may not be necessary for the > most common audio > > only operations, and for the sake of simplicity it may be > better to leave it > > as an option. > > I think you are absolutely right. We have been doing some > work on that and > have come up with the following which seems like a sensible > extention to > the H.gcp/MEGACOP work: > > Problem definition: > For multimedia calls you will have multiple media streams > representing > each of the users. these streams need to be appropriately > processed (maybe > mixed or something more clever) and synchronised. > > The current definition in the MEGACO I-D specifies that each > context only > has one type of medium. This makes the logical grouping of > terminations > belonging to one user difficult, creates issues with synchronisation > between media. It also makes it difficult to remove one user > or an entire > conference in one command. > > We have gone over several possible solutions, you can group > terminations > per user, and/or per medium and/or make some kind of links between > terminations or contexts which signify the synchronisation. > > What seems like a workable model is to allow multiple media > in one context > and have a matrix binding the terminations to the right > medium/user. So you > would get something like: > > context > > medium1 | M2 | ....| Mn > ------------------------------ > user1 | x | | | x > user2 | | x | | x > .......... > usern | x | x > where x==termination > > such a matrix could be a "scap paper" used by the MGW and MC > to keep track > of to which user and which medium each termination belongs. > One could set a > flag on terminations that one wants to synchronise. > > Naturally you would not need this for simple voice gateways so the > extentions needed to the protocol for this youl be optional. > > The extentions would look like: > > Commands: > We now have a command structure that states: > > ContextID > *Command(TerminationID ....) > > we would get: > > ContextID > [UserID] > *command( [MediaID] Termination ID....) > > so for example: > ContextID=3 > UserID=2 > add (MediaID=Video3, TerminationID=RTP:32424, ....) > modify (MediaID=Video3, TerminationID=*, SychWith:MediaID=Audio2) > > etc. > > A context could have the following properties: > - mode (unidirectional, bidirectional, mix, choose...) > - maxNumberOfUsers (e.g. 3) > - maxNumberOfMedia (e.g. 1 for a simple voice gateway) > > This extention would allow the removal of one medium or one > user from a > conference but not hamper "simple" operations. > > Paul > > "Arango, Mauricio" wrote: > > > > Nancy, > > > > Thanks for preparing the minutes. > > > > > > > > b. Raised by Mauricio Arango: you may want to be able to > > > create a context > > > with parameters before adding any terminations to it - (e.g. > > > turing machine) > > > > I want to clarify that I was not referring to Alan Turing's > grand work but > > to something colleagues and I did some years ago in > multimedia call control, > > called "Touring Machine". This effort developed a > connection model similar > > to the one in MEGACO's protocol and could be worth keeping > in mind as > > previous experience to help this effort. > > > > The January 1993 of the Communications of the ACM has an > article on the > > Touring Machine. Following is an excerpt desribing its > connection model > > (page 71): > > > > "The logical topology of a session is specified as a set of > typed connectors > > (see Figure 2). A connector represents a multiway transport > connection among > > endpoints (logical ports). A connection is an abstraction of a > > communications bridge, including point-to-point (two way) as well as > > multipoint connections. Since bridging is a medium-specific > operation, > > connectors are typed by medium. A session may have one or > more connectors > > per medium, with souce and sink endpoints from > participating clients. An > > endpoint represents a connector termination point. Endpoints are > > distinguished by medium, direction of flow, and the client > receiving or > > providing transport." > > > > In the above excerpt a "connector" is equivalent to > MEGACO's context and an > > "endpoint" is equivalent to MEGACO's termination. > > > > > c. Raised by a few people: we need to see whether we need a > > > meta definition > > > of a "call" in the MG, so that the MG can link together > > > related contexts. > > > May be needed for lipsynch between a call's video context and > > > its audio > > > context. Instead of introducing a callId, this could be done using > > > parameters on each context referring to the other one. > > > Benefit of a callId > > > is that the MGC can bring down the entire call by just > > > referring to the > > > callId. (Note: "call" may be the wrong word - if we need it, > > > let's try to > > > invent a new name). > > > > > > > It could be good idea to have some entity that ties > together multiple > > contexts, this was our experience in the Touring Machine > and we referred to > > it as "session". However, it may not be necessary for the > most common audio > > only operations, and for the sake of simplicity it may be > better to leave it > > as an option. > > > > Regards, > > > > Mauricio Arango > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: Greene, Nancy-M [CAR:5N10:EXCH] > > > [mailto:ngreene@americasm01.nt.com] > > > Sent: Monday, March 29, 1999 8:54 PM > > > To: 'ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com'; 'megaco(a)baynetworks.com' > > > Subject: Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call minutes > > > > > > > > > Here are the minutes from the call today. Please email me any > > > corrections. I > > > tried to pair comments made with the person that made them - > > > I may have made > > > some errors, and I know I missed the names of some of the > > > people commenting. > > > > > > > > > > > > Nancy (ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com) > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > Megaco Protocol presentation to IETF megaco and ITU SG16 > participants > > > March 29/99 10am-12pm EST > > > ================================================= > > > > > > Present: The number of ports being used went as high as 47, > > > and was about 45 > > > on average. Number of participants was higher since a number > > > of people were > > > sharing ports. > > > > > > Chair of the call: Glen Freundlich (ggf(a)lucent.com) > > > Minutes: taken by Nancy Greene (ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com) > > > > > > NOTE: In keeping with IETF and ITU procedures, the audio call > > > cannot make > > > binding decisions. It is a tool for the chairs and > editors, and the > > > participants of both the IETF and ITU working groups, to > > > gauge support for > > > the protocol, and to raise issues with the protocol. Issues > > > may be raised in > > > either an audio call, or on the mailing list > > > (megaco(a)baynetworks.com) These > > > minutes are going to both the Megaco and ITU-SG16 mailing lists. > > > > > > Meeting summary: > > > -------------------------- > > > Glen Freundlich summed up results of the meeting. The goal of > > > the meeting > > > was two fold: > > > 1) it was the first opportunity for people to look at the > > > output from the > > > Megaco protocol design/drafting group. > > > 2) it was an opportunity for people to pose questions on > the draft. > > > > > > He saw no opposition to the connection model proposed in the > > > Megaco protocol > > > I-D > > > (ftp://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-megaco-protocol > > > -00.txt). > > > To date, the Megaco protocol I-D has been run through audio > > > call scenarios > > > for 3-way call, for call waiting, ... However, it needs to be > > > tested with > > > multimedia scenarios. Any input in this area is appreciated. > > > > > > Because there seems to be agreement on the connection model, > > > Bryan Hill, the > > > H.gcp editor, will start pulling related sections from the > > > Megaco protocol > > > I-D into H.gcp. > > > > > > Glen will hold another audio call next week to see where we > > > stand, and to > > > look towards adding more sections to H.gcp from the Megaco > > > protocol I-D. > > > > > > For the ITU-T SG16 May meeting, H.gcp needs to contain: > > > - a connection model > > > - a set of commands > > > - a start on parameters for those commands > > > - generic syntax > > > - and a list of issues to resolve. > > > > > > > > > Protocol timetable: > > > -------------------------- > > > IETF Megaco: > > > - Proposed Standard by summer/99 > > > - interoperability testing in fall/99 > > > - Draft Standard in Feb/2000 > > > > > > This matches up closely with the ITU-T SG16 schedule: > > > - planning to get H.gcp determined in May/99 > > > - planning to get H.gcp decided in Feb/2000 > > > > > > IETF/ITU collaboration: > > > ------------------------------- > > > Question raised: will the two protocols be identical? > > > > > > Tom Taylor proposes two options: > > > 1) SG16 and Megaco completely agree on the protocol > > > requirements. If this is > > > the case, the protocol will be identical > > > > > > 2) Each group has some requirements that are different from > > > the other group. > > > In this case, there would be agreement on a core > protocol, and then > > > additional parts would be defined by each group. > > > > > > BUT how to do this in practice? Tom said that if a huge > > > roadblock comes up > > > again, we would form a new design team to work out a solution. > > > > > > Tom asked whether the group on the call agreed that the > > > Megaco protocol I-D > > > was a reasonable basis for H.gcp. Feeling was that it is, but > > > that we need > > > to do multimedia call walkthroughs. Mike Buckley had some > > > concern about the > > > definition of a context, but thought that the basic model > is workable. > > > Mauricio Arango thought it was a good model for multimedia. > > > Ami Amir raised > > > issue about associating contexts. Glen asked the H.320 > > > experts to look at > > > the protocol and see if we need to modify the connection model. > > > > > > > > > Next audio call: > > > ---------------------- > > > Probably next Thursday April 8/99, same time. Confirmation of > > > date & time > > > and the call details will be out later this week. > > > > > > > > > Use of mailing lists: > > > --------------------------- > > > It was agreed that we would try to keep all technical > > > discussion of the > > > Megaco protocol on the megaco(a)baynetworks.com mailing list. > > > > > > Invitations to audio calls, and audio call minutes will be > > > sent to both the > > > megaco(a)baynetworks.com and to the ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com > > > mailing lists. > > > > > > Tom Taylor took the action of posting to each list, how to > > > join the other > > > one. > > > > > > Detailed minutes: > > > ------------------------ > > > Brian Rosen presented the Megaco protocol draft > > > (ftp://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-megaco-protocol > > > -00.txt). He > > > first noted that this draft is open for discussion. It is not > > > cast in stone. > > > If changes need to be made to any part, they will be > made, if they are > > > deemed necessary to satisfy the requirements of the protocol, > > > and agreed to > > > by the group. > > > > > > 1. New connection model > > > - concept of a termination - have permanent (e.g. DS0) and > > > ephemeral (e.g. > > > RTP port) terminations > > > - a termination is named with a terminationId, this name can > > > have wildcards, > > > for example to allow the MG to choose the actual physical > > > termination, or to > > > request notification of an event that occurs on any DS0 > > > - concept of a context - can add, subtract, modify > terminations in a > > > context. A context is created when the first termination is > > > added to it, and > > > goes away when the last termination is subtracted from it. > > > - a context can have parameters associated with it - for > > > example, a video > > > mixing context may have parameters to describe how the video > > > is to be mixed > > > - mosaic, or current speaker/last speaker, ... > > > - a termination class defines parameters on a typical > > > termination - e.g. DS0 > > > Termination Class, RTP Termination Class > > > - Signals can be attached to a termination class, events can > > > occur at a > > > termination class, and the MGC can specify which ones it > wants to be > > > notified about. > > > - packages define signals and events > > > - a termination class can have more than one package that > apply to it > > > - event naming structure allows package name to be put in > > > front of the event > > > name > > > - question: how do you apply a call waiting tone? - answer - > > > it is a signal > > > that you apply to a termination > > > > > > 1.1 Proposed Changes and Issues: > > > a. Tom Taylor proposed a more general definition for > context: every > > > termination in a context has connectivity with all other > > > terminations in the > > > context. > > > > > > b. Raised by Mauricio Arango: you may want to be able to > > > create a context > > > with parameters before adding any terminations to it - (e.g. > > > turing machine) > > > - may want to mark a context with the max # of terminations > > > at creation > > > time. - BUT this may bring lack of flexibility - may be > > > better to let the MG > > > decide, as new terminations are added to a context, whether > > > it is able to > > > mix them in. For example, instead of marking a context with > > > one particular > > > type of codec, it is more flexible to let the MG decide what > > > transcoding > > > needs to be done in a context as a function of the types of > > > terminations > > > added to it. > > > > > > c. Raised by a few people: we need to see whether we need a > > > meta definition > > > of a "call" in the MG, so that the MG can link together > > > related contexts. > > > May be needed for lipsynch between a call's video context and > > > its audio > > > context. Instead of introducing a callId, this could be done using > > > parameters on each context referring to the other one. > > > Benefit of a callId > > > is that the MGC can bring down the entire call by just > > > referring to the > > > callId. (Note: "call" may be the wrong word - if we need it, > > > let's try to > > > invent a new name). > > > > > > d. Raised by Steve Davies: with H.320, the MG has one > > > physical termination > > > with audio, video and data on it - can a termination be in > > > more than one > > > context? no - so need to separate the different media out of > > > this physical > > > termination before creating the contexts. > > > > > > e. Raised by Tom Taylor: need to see whether it is > feasible to have > > > decomposed H.320 gateways - if it is necessary (people say > > > yes), then need > > > to be sure the Megaco protocol can handle it. > > > > > > > > > 2. Commands > > > - grouped into commands within an action per context, and > one or more > > > actions are grouped into a transaction. Transaction is > all or nothing. > > > - Add, Modify, Subtract each can contain local and remote > terminiation > > > descriptors, signalling descriptor, an events descriptor, and > > > a digit map > > > descriptor > > > - question on how to change an event description for a > > > termination - answer: > > > use Modify - can do it within a context, or outside a context > > > - if it is > > > outside the context (i.e. using the NULL context), then that > > > is how you > > > change the default parameters for that termination. > > > - MGCP's NotificationRequest is now covered in Modify > > > > > > 3. Multimedia and Contexts and Terminations > > > - a termination only belongs to one context > > > - for multimedia, there is one context per media type > > > - just as you have separate RTP flows for different media > > > types, you have > > > separate contexts. > > > > > > 3.1 Issues > > > a. Paul Sijben noted that when you try to use the Megaco > protocol with > > > H.320, there may be problems with the model - Paul will bring > > > these up on > > > the mailing list. > > > > > > Also, see Issue c in 1.1 above. > > > > > > 4. H.245 & SDP > > > - Tom Taylor explained that H.245 has at least 2 purposes: 1) > > > for capability > > > negotiation, and 2) for specification of open logical > > > channel. The scope of > > > the Megaco protocol is 2). Capability negotiation may use > > > H.245 between > > > MGCs, but the Megaco protocol is between MGC and MG. SDP may > > > be good enough > > > to be used between the MGC and the MG. Discussion still open > > > here. Need to > > > allow for an environment where H.245 may not be involved. > > > - with H.263 - H.245 provides a tag to link together 2 RTP > > > streams - need to > > > be able to carry this tag from the MGC to the MG. > > > > > > 5. underspecifying termination descriptors > > > - can be used as a way to tell the MG to use default > values for the > > > termination > > > - a termination learns its default values at MG boot-up time > > > - MGC can change these values using Modify with context > set to NULL. > > > > > > 6. underspecifying terminationIds > > > - provides a way of setting default parameters for a T1 > for example > > > > > > 7. Case: two audio contexts - in different MGs, and in the same MG > > > - can the connection model handle this? Yes > > > - protocol should need to keep track of where resources are. > > > - it is up to the MGC to know what contexts are associated > > > with a call. > > > > > > 8. overview of Audit, Notify, ServiceChange > > > - ServiceChange - MG can use it upon reboot, to register > > > itself with an MGC > > > - MG knows which MGC to send this msg to from some method > > > outside the scope > > > of this protocol (pre-provisioned, for example). > > > - MGC learns capabilities of MG using Audit. - can learn codecs > > > > > > 8.1 Issue > > > - need a way for MGC to learn the QUANTITY of codecs an MG has! > > > > > > 9. overview of Security > > > - this is security between an MGC and an MG > > > - interim method is specified for when an MG does not have IPSEC > > > > > > 10. Question on scope of the protocol > > > - check the requirements draft: > > > ftp://standards.nortelnetworks.com/megaco/docs/minn99 > > > - Steve Davies brought up point that some aspects of the > > > Megaco protocol > > > overlap with Policy server protocol proposals. > > > > > > 11. Can MG do coded renegotiation? > > > - David Featherstone asked if an MG can negotiate use of a > > > new codec on its > > > own > > > - Brian Rosen answered that with AAL2 profiles, the MG can > > > > > > Issue: > > > a. MGC may need to be involved - for example if the Quality > > > goes down too > > > low, call may no longer be billable. Solution - create an > > > event to notify > > > the MGC for this case. > > > > > > 12. How does the MGC find out RTP interfaces? > > > - should be able to do this using Audit in the NULL context. > > > > > > 13. IVR - still open for discussion > > > - view IVR as a termination > > > - issue is how much signalling effort do you need to add to > > > the protocol? > > > - simply playing msgs is ok - they just look like events > > > - problem is when you want to put time and money values into > > > it for example, > > > you have x minutes left on your calling card. - this may be > > > out of the scope > > > of the Megaco protocol > > > > > > 14. QoS reservation > > > - needs more discussion > > > > > > ****see Meeting summary above for audio call conclusions. > > > > > > end of minutes. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > ------------ > > > Nancy M. Greene > > > Internet & Service Provider Networks, Nortel Networks > > > T:514-271-7221 (internal:ESN853-1077) E:ngreene@nortelnetworks.com > > > > > -- > Paul Sijben Telno:+ 31 35 687 4774 Fax:+31 35 687 5954 > Lucent Technologies Home telno: +31 33 4557522 > Forward Looking Work e-mail: sijben(a)lucent.com > Huizen, The Netherlands internal http://hzsgp68.nl.lucent.com/ >

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H.320 gateways
by John Segers 30 Mar '99

30 Mar '99

People, In yesterday's conference call, the subject of H.320 GWs was raised briefly. In my opinion, the connection model and protocol should be able to deal with H.320. I would like to continue discussion on it on the mailing list. H.320 allows a user to have a session with both audio and video on a single 64 kbit/s channel such as an ISDN B-channel. The same channel carries some signalling information (frame alignment, bitrate allocation). To a MG supporting H.320, this means that on a single endpoint, three streams can come in, carrying different types of media. The current connection model of megaco/H.gcp does not cater to this. I see two possible solutions: The first is to allow multiple media in one context and to describe for terminations the logical streams they carry. In a picture: +----------+ | | | +--------- signalling (FAS, BAS) | | B-channel ==========+ +--------- audio (16 kbit/s) | | | +--------- video (46.4 kbit/s) | | +----------+ The second solution is to have separate terminations for the different streams. They would all "connect to" the same physical endpoint. In order to properly identify the terminations, it is necessary to have logical names for them. The physical endpoint they connect may have the hierarchical name proposed in the megaco document. Another example of a H.320 session is the case of two B-channels being used for an audiovisual call. The following frame structure is then possible. +--------------------------++-----------------------+ | Channel 1 || Channel 2 | +-----+--+--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+ |Bit 1|B2|B3|B4|B5|B6|B7|B8||B1|B2|B3|B4|B5|B6|B7|B8| +-----+--+--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+ 1 | a1 |a2|a3|a4|a5|a6|v1|F ||v2|v3|v4|v5|v6|v7|v8|F | 2 | a7 |a8|a9|a |a |a |v9|F ||v |v |v |v |v |v |v |F | 3 | a |a |a |a |a |a |v |F ||v |v |v |v |v |v |v |F | 4 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | 5 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | 6 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | 7 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | 8 | a | | | | |a |v |F ||v | |v |F | +---------------------------------------------------+ 9 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 10 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 11 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 12 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 13 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 14 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 15 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | 16 | a | | | | |a |v |B ||v | |v |B | +---------------------------------------------------+ 17 | a | | | | |a |v |v ||v | |v |v | . . . 80 | a | | | | |a |v |v ||v | |v |v | +---------------------------------------------------+ (a=audio, v=video, F=FAS, B=BAS). We see that the video stream is split up over two channels. In order to cater to this, it seems we have to allow terminations to receive media from and send it to multiple physical endpoints. The two approaches outlined above can both be extended to allow this. Both extensions will lead to the introduction of logical names for terminations. In the first approach there will be one termination "containing" two B-channels on one side and three logical streams on the other. In the second approach there will be three terminations, the one for the video stream referencing both B-channels, the ones for signalling and audio referencing only channel 1. The second approach allows us to keep separate contexts for different media types. It is then easy to delete, for instance, the video part of a session (session used loosely to desribe the contexts for the audio and video). The first approach groups the streams coming from/going to one user, making it possible to remove a user from a context more easily. Personally, I can't decide which approach I would prefer. How do others feel about these ideas? Regards, John Segers -- John Segers email: jsegers(a)lucent.com Lucent Technologies Room HE 344 Dept. Forward Looking Work phone: +31 35 687 4724 P.O. Box 18, 1270 AA Huizen fax: +31 35 687 5954

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Megaco Protocol - IETF/ITU conf call minutes
by Greene, Nancy-M [CAR:5N10:EXCH] 29 Mar '99

29 Mar '99

Here are the minutes from the call today. Please email me any corrections. I tried to pair comments made with the person that made them - I may have made some errors, and I know I missed the names of some of the people commenting. Nancy (ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com) ----------------------------------------------------------- Megaco Protocol presentation to IETF megaco and ITU SG16 participants March 29/99 10am-12pm EST ================================================= Present: The number of ports being used went as high as 47, and was about 45 on average. Number of participants was higher since a number of people were sharing ports. Chair of the call: Glen Freundlich (ggf(a)lucent.com) Minutes: taken by Nancy Greene (ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com) NOTE: In keeping with IETF and ITU procedures, the audio call cannot make binding decisions. It is a tool for the chairs and editors, and the participants of both the IETF and ITU working groups, to gauge support for the protocol, and to raise issues with the protocol. Issues may be raised in either an audio call, or on the mailing list (megaco(a)baynetworks.com) These minutes are going to both the Megaco and ITU-SG16 mailing lists. Meeting summary: -------------------------- Glen Freundlich summed up results of the meeting. The goal of the meeting was two fold: 1) it was the first opportunity for people to look at the output from the Megaco protocol design/drafting group. 2) it was an opportunity for people to pose questions on the draft. He saw no opposition to the connection model proposed in the Megaco protocol I-D (ftp://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-megaco-protocol-00.txt) To date, the Megaco protocol I-D has been run through audio call scenarios for 3-way call, for call waiting, ... However, it needs to be tested with multimedia scenarios. Any input in this area is appreciated. Because there seems to be agreement on the connection model, Bryan Hill, the H.gcp editor, will start pulling related sections from the Megaco protocol I-D into H.gcp. Glen will hold another audio call next week to see where we stand, and to look towards adding more sections to H.gcp from the Megaco protocol I-D. For the ITU-T SG16 May meeting, H.gcp needs to contain: - a connection model - a set of commands - a start on parameters for those commands - generic syntax - and a list of issues to resolve. Protocol timetable: -------------------------- IETF Megaco: - Proposed Standard by summer/99 - interoperability testing in fall/99 - Draft Standard in Feb/2000 This matches up closely with the ITU-T SG16 schedule: - planning to get H.gcp determined in May/99 - planning to get H.gcp decided in Feb/2000 IETF/ITU collaboration: ------------------------------- Question raised: will the two protocols be identical? Tom Taylor proposes two options: 1) SG16 and Megaco completely agree on the protocol requirements. If this is the case, the protocol will be identical 2) Each group has some requirements that are different from the other group. In this case, there would be agreement on a core protocol, and then additional parts would be defined by each group. BUT how to do this in practice? Tom said that if a huge roadblock comes up again, we would form a new design team to work out a solution. Tom asked whether the group on the call agreed that the Megaco protocol I-D was a reasonable basis for H.gcp. Feeling was that it is, but that we need to do multimedia call walkthroughs. Mike Buckley had some concern about the definition of a context, but thought that the basic model is workable. Mauricio Arango thought it was a good model for multimedia. Ami Amir raised issue about associating contexts. Glen asked the H.320 experts to look at the protocol and see if we need to modify the connection model. Next audio call: ---------------------- Probably next Thursday April 8/99, same time. Confirmation of date & time and the call details will be out later this week. Use of mailing lists: --------------------------- It was agreed that we would try to keep all technical discussion of the Megaco protocol on the megaco(a)baynetworks.com mailing list. Invitations to audio calls, and audio call minutes will be sent to both the megaco(a)baynetworks.com and to the ITU-SG16(a)mailbag.intel.com mailing lists. Tom Taylor took the action of posting to each list, how to join the other one. Detailed minutes: ------------------------ Brian Rosen presented the Megaco protocol draft (ftp://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-megaco-protocol-00.txt) He first noted that this draft is open for discussion. It is not cast in stone. If changes need to be made to any part, they will be made, if they are deemed necessary to satisfy the requirements of the protocol, and agreed to by the group. 1. New connection model - concept of a termination - have permanent (e.g. DS0) and ephemeral (e.g. RTP port) terminations - a termination is named with a terminationId, this name can have wildcards, for example to allow the MG to choose the actual physical termination, or to request notification of an event that occurs on any DS0 - concept of a context - can add, subtract, modify terminations in a context. A context is created when the first termination is added to it, and goes away when the last termination is subtracted from it. - a context can have parameters associated with it - for example, a video mixing context may have parameters to describe how the video is to be mixed - mosaic, or current speaker/last speaker, ... - a termination class defines parameters on a typical termination - e.g. DS0 Termination Class, RTP Termination Class - Signals can be attached to a termination class, events can occur at a termination class, and the MGC can specify which ones it wants to be notified about. - packages define signals and events - a termination class can have more than one package that apply to it - event naming structure allows package name to be put in front of the event name - question: how do you apply a call waiting tone? - answer - it is a signal that you apply to a termination 1.1 Proposed Changes and Issues: a. Tom Taylor proposed a more general definition for context: every termination in a context has connectivity with all other terminations in the context. b. Raised by Mauricio Arango: you may want to be able to create a context with parameters before adding any terminations to it - (e.g. turing machine) - may want to mark a context with the max # of terminations at creation time. - BUT this may bring lack of flexibility - may be better to let the MG decide, as new terminations are added to a context, whether it is able to mix them in. For example, instead of marking a context with one particular type of codec, it is more flexible to let the MG decide what transcoding needs to be done in a context as a function of the types of terminations added to it. c. Raised by a few people: we need to see whether we need a meta definition of a "call" in the MG, so that the MG can link together related contexts. May be needed for lipsynch between a call's video context and its audio context. Instead of introducing a callId, this could be done using parameters on each context referring to the other one. Benefit of a callId is that the MGC can bring down the entire call by just referring to the callId. (Note: "call" may be the wrong word - if we need it, let's try to invent a new name). d. Raised by Steve Davies: with H.320, the MG has one physical termination with audio, video and data on it - can a termination be in more than one context? no - so need to separate the different media out of this physical termination before creating the contexts. e. Raised by Tom Taylor: need to see whether it is feasible to have decomposed H.320 gateways - if it is necessary (people say yes), then need to be sure the Megaco protocol can handle it. 2. Commands - grouped into commands within an action per context, and one or more actions are grouped into a transaction. Transaction is all or nothing. - Add, Modify, Subtract each can contain local and remote terminiation descriptors, signalling descriptor, an events descriptor, and a digit map descriptor - question on how to change an event description for a termination - answer: use Modify - can do it within a context, or outside a context - if it is outside the context (i.e. using the NULL context), then that is how you change the default parameters for that termination. - MGCP's NotificationRequest is now covered in Modify 3. Multimedia and Contexts and Terminations - a termination only belongs to one context - for multimedia, there is one context per media type - just as you have separate RTP flows for different media types, you have separate contexts. 3.1 Issues a. Paul Sijben noted that when you try to use the Megaco protocol with H.320, there may be problems with the model - Paul will bring these up on the mailing list. Also, see Issue c in 1.1 above. 4. H.245 & SDP - Tom Taylor explained that H.245 has at least 2 purposes: 1) for capability negotiation, and 2) for specification of open logical channel. The scope of the Megaco protocol is 2). Capability negotiation may use H.245 between MGCs, but the Megaco protocol is between MGC and MG. SDP may be good enough to be used between the MGC and the MG. Discussion still open here. Need to allow for an environment where H.245 may not be involved. - with H.263 - H.245 provides a tag to link together 2 RTP streams - need to be able to carry this tag from the MGC to the MG. 5. underspecifying termination descriptors - can be used as a way to tell the MG to use default values for the termination - a termination learns its default values at MG boot-up time - MGC can change these values using Modify with context set to NULL. 6. underspecifying terminationIds - provides a way of setting default parameters for a T1 for example 7. Case: two audio contexts - in different MGs, and in the same MG - can the connection model handle this? Yes - protocol should need to keep track of where resources are. - it is up to the MGC to know what contexts are associated with a call. 8. overview of Audit, Notify, ServiceChange - ServiceChange - MG can use it upon reboot, to register itself with an MGC - MG knows which MGC to send this msg to from some method outside the scope of this protocol (pre-provisioned, for example). - MGC learns capabilities of MG using Audit. - can learn codecs 8.1 Issue - need a way for MGC to learn the QUANTITY of codecs an MG has! 9. overview of Security - this is security between an MGC and an MG - interim method is specified for when an MG does not have IPSEC 10. Question on scope of the protocol - check the requirements draft: ftp://standards.nortelnetworks.com/megaco/docs/minn99 - Steve Davies brought up point that some aspects of the Megaco protocol overlap with Policy server protocol proposals. 11. Can MG do coded renegotiation? - David Featherstone asked if an MG can negotiate use of a new codec on its own - Brian Rosen answered that with AAL2 profiles, the MG can Issue: a. MGC may need to be involved - for example if the Quality goes down too low, call may no longer be billable. Solution - create an event to notify the MGC for this case. 12. How does the MGC find out RTP interfaces? - should be able to do this using Audit in the NULL context. 13. IVR - still open for discussion - view IVR as a termination - issue is how much signalling effort do you need to add to the protocol? - simply playing msgs is ok - they just look like events - problem is when you want to put time and money values into it for example, you have x minutes left on your calling card. - this may be out of the scope of the Megaco protocol 14. QoS reservation - needs more discussion ****see Meeting summary above for audio call conclusions. end of minutes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nancy M. Greene Internet & Service Provider Networks, Nortel Networks T:514-271-7221 (internal:ESN853-1077) E:ngreene@nortelnetworks.com

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Re: Invitation to ITU/IETF audio call announcement on megaco prot ocol
by Nancy-M Greene 29 Mar '99

29 Mar '99

Just a reminder of the call details, and that the passcode is 131313# for the ITU/IETF audio call today. > CALL DETAILS: > DATE: Monday, March 29/99 > TIME: 10amEST till 12pmEST > NUMBER: 613-763-6338 > PASSCODE: 131313# > CHAIR: Nancy Greene > problems joining? Call 613-765-CONF (613-765-2663) > There are 90 ports, and no more than that. If you cannot get on the call because there are not enough ports, please be assured that minutes of the call will be published by the end of Monday EST. PLEASE share ports where possible if more than one person is calling from one location. If you have a comment to make, but can't make yourself heard on the call, or if you can't be on the call at all, just put your comment in an email msg to the mailing lists. Nancy -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nancy M. Greene Internet & Service Provider Networks, Nortel Networks T:514-271-7221 (internal:ESN853-1077) E:ngreene@nortelnetworks.com > IMPORTANT: > *****The audio call cannot make any decisions. There will > certainly be people that won't be available for the call. > *****Comments sent to the mailing lists carry equal weight > to any discussions held in the audio call. > *****The minutes of the audio call will be published to the > mailing lists. > Ideally, the SG16 group would agree to as much of the > internet-draft as they can, and turn it into the current version of H.GCP. > The more we agree on between the two groups the better. > CALL DETAILS: > DATE: Monday, March 29/99 > TIME: 10amEST till 12pmEST > NUMBER: 613-763-6338 > PASSCODE: 131313# > CHAIR: Nancy Greene > > problems joining? Call 613-765-CONF (613-765-2663) > 90 ports have been booked. > NOTES: > * because of the potentially large # of people, no > tones will be used to mark people joining or leaving > * to improve the voice quality, it is important to > mute your phone when you are not speaking - press 63 to mute, and 66 to > unmute. > > Nancy Greene Bryan Hill > ngreene(a)nortelnetworks.com bhill(a)videoserver.com > > >

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H.GCP and Megaco
by Roni Even 28 Mar '99

28 Mar '99

I read the Draft Megaco Protocol proposal. It still make me wonder how multimedia calls are going to be handled. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the audio call because of other meeting but I have to questions I would like to raise. 1. Will the relation between a video and audio stream be managed in the Media gateway controller. 2. What about T.120 is it part of the media streams and if so how is it decomposed between the media gateway and the media gateway controller. Where do we run MCS, GCC. Roni Even ********************************************** Roni Even VP Product Marketing Accord Video Telecommunication Email: roni_e(a)accord.co.il Tel: +972-3-9251412 Fax: +972-3-9211571 ***************************************************

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Megaco Requirements
by Tom-PT Taylor 28 Mar '99

28 Mar '99

Attached are two notes giving the outcome of a review of requirements at the Megaco meeting two weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't sent this material out to the SG 16 list earlier. I also attach a set of ATM-related requirements which the Multi-Service Switching Forum (MSF) provided to Megaco. It's important that we determine whether Q. 14/16 and Megaco have the same view of requirements. I've asked Glen Freundlich for time to probe the issue on tomorrow's H.GCP conference call. The dialogue can continue by E-mail. In the end, I hope we can determine a core set of requirements agreed by both groups, plus, if necessary, additional separately-documented requirements which are specific to one group or the other. <<Megaco Requirements>> <<Requirements Part II>> <<draft-ietf-megaco-msf-reqs-00.txt>> Tom Taylor E-mail: taylor(a)nortelnetworks.com (internally Tom-PT Taylor) Tel.: +1 613 765 4167 (internally 395-4167) This is frequently forwarded to my residence.

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h.341 version 7
by George Kajos 26 Mar '99

26 Mar '99

Hi folks, I put the latest document in the avc-site\incoming directory on the picturetel site as h341wht7.[zip,doc]. The changes have been those of an editorial nature resulting from email of Mr. Shulman, Ms. Gafni, and Ms. Shah. The document includes content changes approved from the Monterey SG-16 meeting. Please review the document for correctness. The zipped version is also inserted below: Thanks, George Kajos gkajos(a)videoserver.com VideoServer Inc. 63 Third Avenue Burlington, MA 01803 phone: 781-505-2193 fax: 781-505-2101

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