Explain Multipoint Conference Server (MCS) and its functions?
Multipoint Conference Server acts as a switching device, connecting multiple sites at the same time to become part of same conference. It also provides facility to run multiple conferences with varying data rates, to operate in parallel over one network. The digital video signals from various Codecs are fed to the MCS, which is controlled through a workstation, (commonly a PC) to monitor and control various conferences. Accounting and scheduling related jobs are done through the workstation. Typically, one MCS is capable of switching across six different sites, and can be expanded upto 28 sites by adding extra cards. Several MCS can be cascaded together to provide switching capabilities across more number of sites. Since the MCS acts as the central hub which switches across different conferences, it must operate as per the ITU standard to connect with other MCS (H.331 – ITU standard of translating audio-visual information between MCS). An important consideration for MCS is the switchin
