Is DSL The Right Selection For Your Video Conferencing Backbone?

When implementing video conferencing capabilty several businesses are more focused on the build-from the video suite itself.....and assume that DSL bandwidth is sufficient for their network backbone. Whether this be an existing network or intended new install.....assuming that DSL is sufficient to support your necessities might be shortsighted. Beware, there's more out there to consider.
Before "jumping to conclusions" it's important to consider all your options....and the way each could best (or not) support your video conferencing needs.

xDSL technologies are usually deployed as "over subscribed" packet switched networks. By oversubscribed I mean that during those brief periods when the 2 finish points aren't transmitting the bandwidth to carry knowledge from different users. In these networks the bandwidth used by connections between two ends points has the characteristics of variable bandwidth and variable delay. The resulting jitter can be terribly problematic for video circuits. But, xDSL technologies are sometimes a lot of less costly than ISDN/T carriers.
The "A" in ADSL stands for "asymmetrical". SDSL, and sometimes VHSDL and HDSL, are symmetrical.

If your videoconferencing is 2-approach, you would like symmetry, or the performance can be horrible on the low-speed side. A caveat: if your video codec gives sufficiently sensible compression that the low-speed aspect provides enough bandwidth, you will be all right.

You also have to test the service guarantee on DSL, Frame Relay, and even Metro Ethernet. Do they give you either constant bit rate (CBR) or near-real-time Variable Bit Rate (nr6VBR), that are generally thought-about necessary for full-motion video quality? Note that CBR and nrtVBR are possible through IP connections that guarantee quality of service, which typically can mean contracting for a VPN.

You really want symmetry along with your video conferencing. The cheap shopper class aDSL products are great when the downstream bandwidth is considerably bigger then upstream, however in video/teleconferencing, the requirements are each up and downstream.
If video conferencing is something you would use frequently, and count on for your business, then opt for a real SDSL line or a T1 (or a DS3 for larger businesses with frequent usage.....especially with large numbers of participants, taking part locations, or excessive distant). There are vendors which will provide these at competitive costs and give business class service and support.

Many businesses are abandoning DSL in favor of Sprint's EVDO rev A implementation of CDMA. You may notice some carrier agnostic info at EVDOForum.com that cites rev A speeds as EVDO Rev A 450Kbps-800Kbps Download, bursts to 3.0Mbps, and 300Kbps-400Kbps Upload Speed, bursts to 1.8Mbps. Sprint is now assured that these are very conservative numbers. While your own mileage could vary.... some routinely get faster speeds than this. Sprint expects to possess additional than one hundred ninety Million EVDO Rev A POPs by the tip of April (we have a tendency to'll see though).

If your business is small, the underlying technology for video ought to be IPTV with any of the web-conferencing agents. The video streams would be routed via DSL service. If you're served by cable TV, you'll prefer cable web to DSL-based mostly web, however cable carriers often don't serve industrial areas. Therefore as a business cable could not be offered to you.

If your business features a full Personal Branch Exchange (PBX) system for your telephones, you probably already get ISDN service from your phone company. ISDN permits "dynamic allocation" of channels which dedicates throughput to video when it is needed and makes the same capability offered for other applications, like voice or knowledge, when it is needed there. There are lots of vendors who support/supply ISDN-based mostly video conferencing equipment.

(Please note, this Primary Rate Interface (PRI) flavor of ISDN is alive and well, in contrast to the Basic Rate Interface (BRI) flavor of ISDN that little businesses and residential customers have either ignored or run away from.)

If your company is extremely massive (e.g., dedicated web access of T-three/DS3 or higher), then use IP-based mostly solutions again.
With the constraints of DSL spelled out above....and at least the basics on choices for different solutions described....you are currently armed with enough information to form an informed decision. Do additional research as needed......and choose wisely.

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Gary Ramirez has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Video Conferencing (Communications), you can also check out his latest website about: Vintage Rocking ChairsWhich reviews and lists the best Antique Rocking Chairs

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