Interoperability FAQ

What is interoperability?

Interoperability refers to the ability of different video conference systems to talk to each other. Back to the top of the page

Why is interoperability important?

If systems are not interoperable users with different equipment can not connect. The reality is a lot of video conferencing equipment currently installed that will not talk to a lot of other currently installed video conference equipment. Back to the top of the page

How can interoperability be supported?

Interoperability can be supported in two ways:

  • The Gateway Model
  • The GP2U Poly-client Model

What is the Gateway Model?

In the Gateway model each user connects to a gateway that supports at least two different types of connection. Within the gateway the video conference data streams are decrypted, converted, re-encrypted and sent on. This presents a significant data security issue, as the data conversion process requires decryption - so the gateway is a weak link. Back to the top of the page

What is the GP2U Poly-client Model?

The GP2U Poly-client model is remarkably simple. When a user presses the connect button in our interface, the system looks to see what sort of connection is needed. For an H.323 endpoint the connection data is passed to an H.323 Softphone (Mirial), and the call initiated. For Lifesize SIP endpoints, which only talk to Lifesize software, the connection data is passed to Lifesize Desktop, and the call initiated. For Skype endpoints the connection data is passed to Skype, and the call initiated. Back to the top of the page

What are the advantages of the GP2U Poly-client Model

The advantages of the GP2U Poly-client Model are:

  • When a user presses connect, the connection is made so it just works
  • The connection is made directly between products specifically designed to talk to each other
  • There is no security hole exposed by gateway decryption

What are the disadvantages of the GP2U Poly-client Model

The only real disadvantage of the GP2U Poly-client Model is the requirement for a Specialist user to purchase Mirial Softphone to support H.323/SIP and Lifesize Desktop to support Lifesize. The cost for each client is < $200. Back to the top of the page

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