IP Bandwidth Guide: Communicate Simply
IP Bandwidth Guide: Communicate Simply
IP Bandwidth
Guide
Timothy M. O’Neil
Director of Technical Marketing
Polycom Video Communications
January 28, 2003
Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
General H.323 Bandwidth Recommendations .................................................................. 2
Bandwidth Requirements for H.323 Traffic over Different LAN/WAN Technologies .... 2
Point-to-Point Calls ........................................................................................................... 3
Multipoint Calls ................................................................................................................. 5
ViewStation FX/VS4000 Multipoint Calls ................................................................. 5
iPower 9000/900/600 Series Voice-Activated Multipoint Calls ................................. 6
iPower 9000/900/600 Series Continuous Presence Multipoint Calls .......................... 7
Polycom MGC Multipoint Call Types ........................................................................ 9
Video-Switched Mode Call on Polycom MGC .................................................... 9
Hardware-Based Continuous Presence MCU Call on Polycom MGC ............... 11
Software-Based Continuous Presence MCU Call on Polycom MGC ................ 12
H.323 Bandwidth Recommendation Summary ............................................................... 14
Contact Information ......................................................................................................... 16
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List of Figures
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IP Bandwidth Guide
Introduction
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General H.323 Bandwidth Recommendations
H.323 traffic will use a slightly larger amount of bandwidth than the selected call
quality or H.320 equivalent. Polycom, therefore, recommends that you allow for a
20% overhead for the H.323 signaling traffic on top of the media (audio, video,
and T.120 data). This H.323 traffic overhead relates to the signaling that is
required by the TCP/IP and H.323 protocols. As mentioned above, ISDN networks
do not record this signaling in the payload calculations, as it is out of band. This is
not the case in TCP/IP networks; all signaling must also be accounted for when
making capacity decisions for the provisioning of LAN and WAN segments. For
example, a 384-Kbps video call would consume approximately 384 Kbps + 20% =
460 Kbps of bandwidth on a TCP/IP network.
Even though H.323 videoconferencing is a bi-directional application, full-duplex
network segments accommodate the transmission of packets in both directions
simultaneously. For example, a full-duplex 100 Mbps Ethernet (100Base-T)
segment actually has 100 Mbps of bandwidth in each direction. Therefore, bi-
directional H.323 traffic does not require that full duplex network segments be
provisioned for two times the bandwidth.
Please note that even if H.323 traffic starts out on a half-duplex network segment
(thus requiring 2 x the bandwidth), it will take advantage of full-duplex segments
as soon as it reaches them and, therefore, only consumes 1 x the bandwidth on
those full-duplex segments. Whether or not you need to multiply the bandwidth by
2 is completely dependent upon the network, once it leaves the videoconferencing
equipment. Understanding this is crucial because WAN segments (T1, Frame
Relay, ATM) are typically full duplex.
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Point-to-Point Calls
The following example assumes a call quality of 384 Kbps. It should be noted that
Polycom terminals can conduct videoconferences at both lower and much higher
call quality speeds.
Recommended link
size= 512 Kbps
38
4k
bp
s+
20
%
=4
60
K bp
38 s
4K
bp
s+ Recommended link
20
% size= 512 Kbps
=4
60
Kb
Media Transmit
p s IP
(LAN, T-1,Frame Relay, ATM)
38
Media Receive 4k
bp
s+
20
%
=4
60
38
4 K bp
Kb s
ps
+ 20
%
=4
60
K bp
s
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Bandwidth Requirements Table
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Multipoint Calls
ViewStation FX
MCU Call
Each site connects to the ViewStation FX or VS4000 host site with a symmetrical
speed of 384 Kbps. Whether it is a voice-activated or continuous-presence
conference, only 384 Kbps is sent back to each of the remote sites.
The ViewStation FX or VS4000 host location will need to have the required
bandwidth to accommodate the sum of all the remote participants.
For example, the ViewStation FX/VS4000 host location would need to have
approximately 1382 Kbps of bandwidth to handle this multipoint call at 384 Kbps.
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iPower 9000/900/600 Series Voice-Activated Multipoint Calls
This example assumes that the three remote locations are dialing at a speed of 384
Kbps (320 Kbps video + 64 Kbps audio = 384 Kbps).
The iPower MCU uses techniques to optimize the use of IP bandwidth. These
techniques leverage flow control mechanisms. Flow control allows for the
economical use of bandwidth. Flow control essentially tells endpoints to stop
sending media when it is not required for retransmission.
The following example shows that when in voice-activated mode (a.k.a video-
switched or full-screen mode), only two video streams (the current broadcaster and
previous broadcaster at 2 x 320 Kbps = 640 Kbps) are accepted into the MCU and
the three audio streams from remote participants (3 x 64 Kbps = 192 Kbps) are
accepted into the MCU. The other sites on the conference are flow-controlled on the
video stream—in other words the remote endpoints stop sending the video stream.
These two parameters of audio added to video equal 640 Kbps + 192 Kbps = 832
Kbps, which is the maximum bandwidth accepted by the MCU. Add 20% to this
number (832 Kbps + 20% = 998 Kbps) to obtain the actual IP bandwidth required to
support this call.
Polycom iPower 9000/900/600 Series
Voice Activated
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Each site connects to the iPower host site with a symmetrical speed of 384 Kbps.
Since it is a voice-activated conference, only 384 Kbps is sent back to the sites
because each participant views only one site at a time.
The iPower host location will need to have the required bandwidth to
accommodate the sum of all the remote participants. Specifically, the iPower host
location would need to have approximately 1382 Kbps of bandwidth to handle this
four-location (three remote + one local) multipoint call at 384 Kbps.
iPower 9000/900/600 Series Continuous Presence Multi-
point Calls
This example assumes a speed of 384 Kbps. Inbound media to the MCU will be
518 Kbps; all remote sites will transmit media of 172.6 Kbps per site.
Continuous Presence mode on the iPower series MCU is different from the voice-
activated bandwidth usage described previously. Each site has an asymmetrical
connection to the iPower host site. For example, for a 384 Kbps conference, the
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three sites are connected at 144 Kbps (64 Kbps + 320 /4= 144 Kbps, where the
audio rate = 64 Kbps) to the iPower host site, with a QCIF resolution. Each remote
site receives 384 Kbps and a CIF image back from the iPower host site. The other
sites on the conference, the sites that are not part of the present continuous
presence mix, are flow-controlled on the video stream, meaning that the endpoint
stops sending the video stream. Note that these numbers do not take into account
the required 20% overhead.
The formula for calculating outbound MCU bandwidth is:
(number of remote sites) x (audio rate) + ((the lower number or MIN of (# remote
sites, or the constant 4) / 4) x (video bit rate of remote sites))
Note: MIN is used when selecting between variables. The MIN of (3, 4) would be
3. MIN is the lesser number.
Mathematically, this would look like the following:
The iPower location that hosts the multipoint call needs to have the required
bandwidth to accommodate the sum of all the remote participants. For example,
the iPower host location would need to have approximately 1152 Kbps of
bandwidth (plus 20%) to handle the three sites at 384 Kbps that are connected to it.
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Polycom MGC Multipoint Call Types
The Polycom MGC platform supports three distinct variations of multipoint calls.
These modes include video-switched mode (additional media processing hardware
is not required), hardware continuous presence with transcoding (media processing
hardware is required), and software-based continuous presence (additional media
processing hardware is not required).
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The following example assumes a speed of 384 Kbps, although the Polycom MGC
can support both higher and lower call speeds.
Polycom MGC
Video Switching Mode
MCU Call
In this example, each site connects to the MCU with a symmetrical speed of 384
Kbps. Since it is a voice-activated conference, only 384 Kbps is sent back to the
sites because each participant can only view one site at a time.
The MCU location that hosts the multipoint call needs to have the required
bandwidth to accommodate the sum of all the remote participants.
For example, the MCU location would need to have approximately 1.8 Mbps of
bandwidth to handle the four remote sites at 384 Kbps connecting to it.
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Hardware-Based Continuous Presence MCU Call on Polycom MGC
The second multipoint conferencing mode is hardware-based and can also include
transcoding. In our example, we will be leveraging two distinct and unique
features to the Polycom MGC platform. The first distinct and unique feature is
hardware-based continuous presence which allows for multiple video layouts. This
is often referred to as “Hollywood Squares.” This feature is described in great
detail in the documentation posted on www.polycom.com.
The second distinct and unique feature about the MGC discussed is transcoding.
Transcoding allows for endpoints with different connection and protocol
capabilities to conference together.
This allows for the highest level of call connectivity in the videoconferencing
industry. Not every location has the same bandwidth, video protocol, and audio
protocols capabilities. The only limitation is that the maximum bit rate can be
equal to or lower than the conference setting. Note that the specific link between
the MCU and endpoints is symmetric.
Polycom MGC
Hardware-Based and Transcoded
MCU Call
(3x 384 Kbps) =1152 Kbps + (3x 384 kbps) = 1152 Kbps +
(1x128 Kbps)=1280 Kbps (+20%) (1x 128 Kbps) = 1280 Kbps (+20%)
12 = 1536 Kbps = 1536 Kbps
8k s
bp
s+ K bp
60
20
% =4
=1 0%
53 s +2
Kb k bp
12 p s 384
8 Kb
ps
+ K bps
20
% 460
=1 %= Recommended link
53 IP s + 20
Media Transmit K Kbp size= 512 Kbps
bp (LAN, T-1,Frame Relay, ATM) 384
s
Media Receive 38
s 4k
bp bp
s+
0K 20
=
46 %
=4
0%
60
+2
Kb
ps
38 ps
4K
kb bp
4 s
38 bp s+
20
60K %
=
=
4 Recommended link 460
0% size= 512 Kbps Kb
2 ps
s+
bp
4K
38
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Hardware continuous presence works in a very similar manner as the voice-
activated conference. Each site connects to the MCU with a symmetrical speed.
The continuous presence hardware in the Polycom MGC decodes all the sites and
builds the continuous presence screen, then sends the composite stream of the built
continuous presence screen to all the participating sites. In the scenario above, the
slow speed site is transmitting a symmetrical 153 Kbps, and the three other
locations are transmitting a symmetric 460 Kbps.
Each site receives the same media rate that it transmits. This media rate is inclusive
of both the audio video media. If all sites were transmitting a 384-Kbps call speed,
the math would be exactly the same as that used for video-switched mode.
The MCU location that hosts the multipoint call needs to have the required
bandwidth to accommodate the sum of all the remote participants. For example,
the MCU location would need to have approximately 1.54 Mbps of bandwidth
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This rule can be applied to any call-quality speed. For example, if the remote
terminals were all dialing 128 Kbps and there were six of them, the maximum
return would be (4 x 128 Kbps) + 20% = 614.4 Kbps.
The other important difference is in the video transmit versus receive. All remote
sites must negotiate to transmit in QCIF format. Then, the MGC will transmit in
FCIF format. This allows the MCG to simply switch the incoming QCIF streams
into one outgoing FCIF stream. It should be noted that the maximum video display
format is four sites (quad screen).
Polycom MGC
Software Switching Mode
MCU Call
4 x 1536 Kbps =
15 4 x 384 kbps = 1536 Kbps (+20%)
36 6144 Kbps (+20%)
Kb = 1843 Kbps
p s+
= 7372 Kbps
K bps
20
% =1
843
=1 %
84 + 20
3 bps
Kb 6K
38 ps 153
4K
bp
s+
20 K bps Recommended link
%
=4 IP 460 size= 2.0 Mbps
60 %=
Kb (LAN, T-1,Frame Relay, ATM) s + 20
Media Transmit
ps Kbp
384
Media Receive ps 15
36
Kb K bp
43 s+
=
18 20
%
0% =1
+2 84
s 38 3K
bp s
4K bp
3 6K bp
bp
s+ s
15 0K 20
=
46 %
=4
%
Recommended link 60
20 size= 2.0 Mbps Kb
s+ p s
bp
4K
38
Software-based continuous presence works differently than either of the other two
methods mentioned previously. Each site has an asymmetrical connection to the
MCU: if we consider our diagram above, the bandwidth coming from the endpoint
to the MCU is 1/4 of the defined multipoint conference speed. The speed defined
for the conference is the speed that is sent back to each site.
For example, the conference speed was defined as 384 Kbps. The MCU receives
each site’s connection at 96 Kbps rate and then sends the four 96 Kbps streams that
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are to be displayed in the continuous presence layout to each site. The MCU then
builds the screen at each endpoint, which is why the connection is asymmetrical.
Note that these numbers do not include the required 20% overhead.
The MCU location that hosts the multipoint call needs to have the required
bandwidth to accommodate the sum of all the remote participants.
For example, the MCU location would need to have approximately 1.5 Mbps of
bandwidth (plus 20%) to handle the 4 remote sites at 384 Kbps connecting to it.
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3. Software-based continuous presence
Cost-Saving Suggestions. Because software-based continuous presence is
asymmetric, it can cost more in WAN link capacity expenses than using a media
processing MCU. As an example, if an organization needed to support a four-site,
384-Kbps call once a week, the actual bandwidth cost for a network would be
drastically different depending on the chosen MCU.
Rather than having to set up a full PRI link (1.5 Mbps) at each location, as would
be required of a software-based MCU, you could set up 512 Kbps circuits at three
locations and set up one site with 1.5 Mbps to handle the media processed MCU.
This could end up costing a lot less over a three-year period, depending on the
actual call frequency. This would equate to 66% less in WAN link costs for three
sites.
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Contact Information
Corporate Headquarters
Polycom, Inc.
4750 Willow Rd.
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2708
USA
Phone: +1.925.924.6000
Fax: +1.925.924.6100
European Headquarters
Polycom Ltd.
270 Bath Road
Slough
Berkshire SL1 4DX
United Kingdom
Phone: +65.323.3882
Fax: +65.323.3022
For additional information, please visit the Polycom web site at: www.polycom.com
Polycom, the Polycom logo design, ViewStation, ViaVideo, SoundStation, SoundPoint, SoundStation Pre-
miere, SoundStation Premiere Satellite, ViewStation StreamStation, WebStation, MeetingSite, Global Man-
agement System, and “Clarity by Polycom” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in the
U.S. and various countries.
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