An Analytic Approach for Deploying Desktop Videoconferencing

The deployment of desktop videoconferencing, also known as Video and Voice over IP (VVoIP), over existing IP networks is gaining popularity these days. Such a deployment has become a major and challenging task for data network researchers and designers. This paper presents an analytic approach for deploying videoconferencing. The approach utilizes queueing network analysis and investigates two key performance bounds for videoconferencing: delay and bandwidth. The approach can be used to assess the support and readiness of an existing IP network. Prior to the purchase and deployment of desktop videoconferencing equipment, the approach predicts the number of videoconferencing sessions or calls that can be sustained by an existing network while satisfying QoS requirements of all network services and leaving adequate capacity for future growth. As a case study, we apply our approach to a typical network of a small enterprise. In addition, we use OPNET network simulator to verify and validate our analysis. Results obtained from analysis and simulation are in line and give a close match.