What is a Gatekeeper?
A Gatekeeper is a software component that allows you to register each of your H.323 video conferencing users. This software allows you to set restrictions on bandwidth usage and function. You can define these settings on a case-by-case basis per site as each site registers (i.e. no restrictions on the company president), or on a global setting. This can be a good way to manage your H.323 video conferencing network and minimize the impact on your LAN. With a Gatekeeper, you can use aliases such as “Bill Smith” to connect parties rather than the more abstract IP address. A fictitious phone number such as “555-1111” can also be assigned as an IP “alias” and thus an IP network could be made to look and feel like a telephony network.
