IP call to ISDN for Polycom V500 (IP only)

[midair77]

Hi, all. I am totally new to this video conferecing stuffs so please don't get mad at me.

Our company just got this unit and I am wondering how do we make call to other sites where they use non-IP based solutions.

I read from other thread:

"For ISDN support, a gateway is typically used. The gateway routes traffic between IP (H.323) and ISDN (H.320) networks, so that the "in house" IP sites can talk to ISDN sites in the outside world."

And I don't know what is this gateway? What is this gateway called? How to go about to set up one or I have to buy one? Will I need one for my situation?

My other question is that we are interested to use Polycom V500 with MS Messenger or Net Meeting or anything of web conferencing. More importantly is somebody uses Net Meeting or Messenger or etc can talk and see us and vice versus, no need for typing here.... Is it possible? If possible, then would you recommend what software or solutions to integrate web conferencing with this unit?

Thank you very much for your help.
Steven.

[Glen Sykes]

Messenger uses a protocol called SIP, and you won't be able to directly place calls between your V500 and Messenger as your V500 uses the H.323 protocol instead (It may also support SIP, feel free to correct me).

NetMeeting is H.323 and you will be able to place calls between your V500 and Netmeeting. However expect the quality received from Netmeeting to be far inferior to what the V500 sends to Netmeeting.

The easiest and probably cheapest way to call over ISDN from your V500 is actually rent some ISDN lines and use those. Purchasing a gateway won't cost in for you unless you have a few systems that require ISDN access.

The other alternative would be to approach a conferencing service provider that offers you ISDN gateway services. This is how I would expect ISDN services to be delivered to most organisations with a low number of systems in the future.