Abstract: In a telecommunications system (8) that comprises communications endpoints (14-15), communications resources (18-20), a communications server (10) that includes a media manager (21), and a network (12) that interconnects them all, a first endpoint (14) provides the media manager with an offer of a connection to a second endpoint (15) that specifies attributes desired for the connection by the first endpoint. The media manager registers the request and forwards it to the second endpoint. When the second endpoint responds with an acceptance of the connection that specifies attributes desired for the connection by the second endpoint, the media manager compares the registered offer with the received acceptance to determine any resources that are needed to bridge any differences between their attributes and to effect the connection.