Scalability support for multiparty multimedia communications

In this paper, we propose a new communication abstraction known as the group channel which facilitates and supports the implementation of multiparty interactive multimedia (MIM) applications such as video conferencing. The group channel is a high-level abstraction for group communication. The credit scheme and the dynamic bandwidth calibration scheme are provided as an integral part of the group channel service for allocating network bandwidth dynamically as participants join and leave the group channel. The multimedia transport protocol (MTP) is proposed as a realization of the group channel service in the ATM network. Its prototype implementation and a simple multiparty videoconferencing application built on top of the MTP prototype are described in this paper. Our results show that the group channel is capable of guaranteeing the performance of MIM applications irrespective of the group size and differences in workstation speeds.