Background and justification

The work on multimedia standardization has resulted in the definition of a number of systems, all of which conform to a common architectural model at the highest level, but show significant divergence at levels of greater detail. Recommendation H.245 represents a first step toward development of reusable system components within the multimedia architecture. Further steps in this direction are to be encouraged, and at the same time recent work on gateway decomposition has suggested that the architecture of H.245 itself should be reviewed. H.323 has introduced innovative architectural elements, particularly the Gatekeeper, and the implications of these innovations for further work on multimedia systems should be explored. Looking beyond Study Group 16, the linkage with architectural activities in other study groups (particularly Study Group 13) and other organizations has been weak; it is desirable that this linkage be strengthened through explicit assignment of responsibility for ensuring that multimedia system architecture is consistent with the architecture of the broader communications network.

In summary, the objective of this Question is to ensure that the work of multimedia standardization under Mediacom 2004 takes place within an architectural framework which promotes integrity of system design, scalability of solutions, reuse of system components, and consistency with the architecture of the broader telecommunications network.

Study items

This Question shall have the following responsibilities:

• creating and maintaining a living architectural framework document to provide guidance to individual multimedia projects within ITU-T and ITU-R;
• recognizing and responding to issues of architectural policy raised in the course of execution of individual multimedia projects;
• recognizing and negotiating a resolution to any inconsistencies between the multimedia architectural framework and other architectural work within ITU-T and ITU-R;
• coordinating the work on multimedia architecture with related work being performed in other SDOs and industry forums.

Specific task objectives with expected time-frame of completion

• Documentation of architectural assumptions made by previous work on multimedia standardization (H- and T-series Recommendations): early 2001.
• First draft of multimedia architectural framework: mid 2001.
• Recommendations for evolution of H.245: mid 2001.
• Identification of inconsistencies between the multimedia architectural framework and architectural work carried out in other study groups and other bodies: late 2001.
• Negotiation of resolution of inconsistencies and updating of the multimedia architectural framework: ongoing.

Relationships

• Other Questions of Study Group 16.
• Multimedia-related studies in Study Groups 8 and 9.
• Multimedia-related studies in ITU-R.
• Architectural Questions in other study groups, particularly Study Group 13.
• IETF (particularly the Applications and Transport Areas).
• The ATM Forum (particularly the RMOA Working Group).
• ISO/IEC SC 29 MPEG.
• Architectural groups within regional telecommunications standardization bodies (in particular, WG 2 of ETSI TIPHON).