Why use a Gatekeeper?

[bradf]

Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out what advantages there are to using a gatekeeper. Our VC network is Internet based all IP. Of our 25 (and growing) endpoints, only 3 are at any one location. The rest are spread around the globe. Our MCU sits at a colocation facility apart from any endpoints.

Besides "dial by extension", what are the advantages, benefits? I can set up the address books in the endpoints with the IP addresses, or URLs of the endpoints and include extension information for MCU calls.

I'm not opposed to using a GK, but don't want to spend money and configuration time for each endpoint if there is no advantage for our style network.

Thanks for your wisdom!

[outlooker]

H.323 gatekeepers after H.460.17/18/19 play an important role in NAT traversal, which makes H.323 system extended dynamically, easily.Just like STUN,TURN,ICE. And some legacy H.323 video terminals need Gatekeeper to route their RAS,H.245 and RTP correctly to MCU. And if only free or cheap H.323 video mobile telephony were introduced wildly, would the H.323 gatekeepers become necessary.

[Wise82Guy]

In addition to the simplified 'dial by extension' you mentioned, and the firewall-traversal integration that outlooker mentioned, gatekeepers can facilitate call routing by resolving aliases on neighbor gatekeepers (and therefore extend the reach of your dial by extension network). They can also determine call routing, bandwidth, management, find and replace within dial strings, and other stuff.

[bradf]

Thanks Outlooker and Wise82! Sorry that I didn't respond sooner. That info does help.

I'd like to learn more about how it helps with NAT traversal. Can someone explain it more in depth, or point me to some resources?

Thanks again for the great help!

[IC1sharp]

In addition,

-You can setup Gatekeepers out at sites, for Video Proxys to help with QOS implementation.

-Gateway Implementation

-Also, Gatekeepers are the Police.