Chapter 6 Video over IP
Mitel Networks 5760 VC User’s Guide
6-5
6.3
Multipoint Conference Units (MCUs)
H.323 conferencing systems can communicate with each other in point-to-point
conferences, but if we add a Multipoint Conference Unit (MCU) to the LAN,
several users can join in a single video meeting. An MCU is a device that
centralizes the connections and characteristics of a multipoint video meeting.
To join multipoint meetings through an MCU, a system must be registered with a
gatekeeper which is registered with the same MCU. A system enters a meeting by
either calling the MCU (dial its IP address, as you would any endpoint) or
answering a call from the MCU.
For non-Mitel Networks endpoints, the MCU is the only available solution for fully
interactive multiparty video meetings.
Mitel Networks offers an affordable software solution for multiparty conferences:
Interactive Multicast. If your system does not support it, and you want to add it,
contact your local Mitel Networks distributor. See Chapter 7, “Multi-Party
Conferencing with Interactive Multicast” for more information.
Desktop Conferencing
System (Mitel Networks/non-
Mitel Networks)
MCU
5750 DV Standard
5750 DV Professional
5760 VC
During the call, participants will see either
the person currently talking (Voice-
Activated Switching) or a composite screen
of all active participants (Continuous
Presence).