Media Resource Broker for VoIP Protocol Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face issues with under-utilization and over-utilization of media servers due to direct links between application servers and media servers, leading to inefficient resource allocation and interoperability challenges across different communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A media resource broker and controller system that utilizes service level agreements and screening functionality to manage media resource usage, brokering media requests across multiple protocols (such as SIP, MSML, MCTRL, and H.248) by selecting appropriate media servers based on available capacities and user qualifications, ensuring efficient resource allocation and interoperability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct links are established between application servers and media servers, then media service delivery is simplified, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to under-utilization and over-utilization of media servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a media resource broker as an intermediary component that sits between application servers and media servers. This broker receives media resource requests from application servers, manages the allocation based on current media server capacities, and returns appropriate media server selections. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system operation by centralizing the allocation logic while preventing both under-utilization and over-utilization of media servers through intelligent load balancing and capacity management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported across different devices, then interoperability is improved, but system complexity increases due to protocol conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The media resource broker acts as a protocol intermediary that handles communication between application servers using different protocols (such as SIP, H.323, RTSP) and media servers. It performs protocol conversion and adaptation, allowing devices with different communication protocols to interoperate seamlessly. This centralizes the protocol complexity in one component rather than requiring every device to support multiple protocols, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The media resource broker is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It provides multi-functional capabilities including protocol conversion, media resource allocation, and capacity management, making it adaptable to various communication standards without requiring separate specialized components for each protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanisms are provided to broker and control media resources. In particular, solutions are described which broker and control a media request sent from an application server. The media request is received at a device capable of brokering and controlling the media request such that a media server capable of providing the request may be selected. A screening functionality is also presented such that an optimal media server may be selected based on a comparison between information contained in an incoming media request and information contained in a previously provisioned Service Level Agreement; such information may relate to media service and capacity information. Further, solutions are presented to support providing media services in heterogeneous environments where an application server and a media server may communication using different media control protocols.