Abstract: A media session between a first device and a second device is established. The following candidate pairs are determined at the first device, by exchanging network addresses between the devices: (i) a relayed-relayed candidate pair comprising a first media relay server network address and a second media relay server, and (ii) at least one alternative candidate pair. Connectivity checks are performed for at least the alternative candidate pair to determine whether or not the alternative candidate pair is valid. However, the media session is established initially using the relayed-relayed candidate pair without any connectivity checks having been performed by the devices for the relayed-relayed candidate pair and before the connectivity checks for the alternative candidate pair have been completed. If the alternative candidate pair is determined to be valid in the connectivity checks, the established media session is switched to the alternative candidate pair in response.

Abstract: A media session is established between a first endpoint and a second endpoint via a communication network based on connectivity checks performed by the endpoints. Depending on whether or not at least one of a set of one or more reduced connectivity check criteria is determined to be met, a full or a reduced set of candidate pairs is generated, each candidate pair of whichever set is generated comprising a first network address available to the first endpoint and a second network address available to the second endpoint. Connectivity checks are not performed for any candidate pair in the full candidate pair set that is not also in the reduced candidate pair set if it is determined that at least one of the reduced connectivity check criteria is met.

Abstract: A media session is established between a first endpoint and a second endpoint via a communication network based on connectivity checks performed by the endpoints. A set of candidate pairs, each comprising a first network address available to the first endpoint and a second network address available to the second endpoint, is generated. Depending on whether or not at least one of a set of one or more reduced connectivity check criteria is determined to be met, a probe threshold for at least one of the candidate pairs. Connectivity checks are performed for the at least one candidate pair by transmitting, by the first endpoint, a number of probe messages from the first network address of that pair to the second network address of that pair that is limited by the probe threshold.

Abstract: A media session between an initiating endpoint and a responding endpoint is established via a communication network. A set of candidate pairs is generated, each comprising a respective network address available to the initiating endpoint and a respective network address available to the responding endpoint by exchanging network addresses between the initiating endpoint and the responding endpoint. The media session is established using a candidate pair of the set determined to be valid. Connectivity checks are performed for at least one candidate pair of the set to determine whether or not the candidate pair is valid. The at least one candidate pair is selected in dependence on selection data pertaining to at least one of the network addresses and indicative of the quality of a path through the network that would be traversed were that network address to be used for the media session.

Abstract: A media session is established between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, by transmitting the following messages from the first endpoint in parallel: to the second endpoint, a message indicating a first server network address of a media relay server available to the first endpoint and comprising a unique session identifier; to the media relay server, an activation request comprising the unique session identifier. This activates the session identifier by causing it to be associated at the media relay server with a source address conveyed by the activation request. Once the session identifier has been activated, a media packet received from the second endpoint at the first server network address that comprises the unique session identifier is relayed from the media relay server to the source address for receiving by the first endpoint.

Abstract: An input of a media relay server is configured to receive multiple media streams from a network via the same port simultaneously, each stream being directed to the server network address and indicating a port identifier of the port and a separate target session identifier. A relay module of the server is configured to, for each stream: determine an endpoint network address associated in a database with the target session identifier indicated by that stream, and transmit that stream to that endpoint network address. In this manner, multiple media streams are relayed to different network endpoints via the same port simultaneously.

Abstract: A media session between an initiating endpoint and a responding endpoint is established. A set of candidate pairs is generated at the endpoint. Each of the candidate pairs comprises a respective network address available to the initiating endpoint and a respective network address available to the responding endpoint. The set of candidate pairs is generated by exchanging network addresses between the initiating endpoint and the responding endpoint. The media session is established using a candidate pair of the set determined to be valid by the endpoints performing connectivity checks for at least one candidate pair of the set to determine whether or not the candidate pair is valid. The set includes a multiplexed relayed candidate pair, which comprises a multiplexed relayed candidate. The multiplexed relayed candidate comprises a unique session identifier to allow multiple media streams to be relayed via the same port of the media relay server simultaneously.

Abstract: Instead of utilizing a centralized server or hardware (routers/gateways) to enforce connectivity policy restrictions, the policy connectivity restrictions for media session traffic are enforced by an endpoint that is involved in the media communication. Based on the policy requirements, the client enforces the policy restrictions by restricting the candidates that may be selected for the establishment of the media path. For example, the enforcement may result in the client selecting a path from available candidates that avoids congested Wide Area Network (WAN) links, avoiding a low bandwidth link, or possibly even failing the communication completely. The clients may also provide periodic updates to the policy server to allow tracking of the utilization of managed WAN links.

Abstract: A media session between an initiating endpoint and a responding endpoint is established via a communication network. A set of candidate pairs is generated, each comprising a respective network address available to the initiating endpoint and a respective network address available to the responding endpoint by exchanging network addresses between the initiating endpoint and the responding endpoint. The media session is established using a candidate pair of the set determined to be valid. Connectivity checks are performed for at least one candidate pair of the set to determine whether or not the candidate pair is valid. The at least one candidate pair is selected in dependence on selection data pertaining to at least one of the network addresses and indicative of the quality of a path through the network that would be traversed were that network address to be used for the media session.

Abstract: A media session is established between a first endpoint and a second endpoint via a communication network based on connectivity checks performed by the endpoints. A set of candidate pairs, each comprising a first network address available to the first endpoint and a second network address available to the second endpoint, is generated. To each candidate pair of the candidate pair set, a respective priority is assigned. If none of the criteria is determined to be met by the first endpoint, the priorities are assigned by the first endpoint according to a standardized networking protocol as specified by the standardized networking protocol, and if any of the criteria is determined to be met by the first endpoint, at least one of the priorities assigned by the first endpoint is different from that specified by the standardized networking protocol.

Abstract: A media session between an initiating endpoint and a responding endpoint is effected, there being a plurality of available paths through a communication network via which the media session could be established. Type metrics associated with the available paths convey the directness of the available paths and are for making a selection of an available path for the media session. Network information indicative of the quality of the available paths and collected from a plurality of network nodes comprises contributions from network nodes other than the initiating and receiving endpoints which have current and/or have had past visibility of at least parts of the available paths. Said selection is influenced so as to cause the endpoints to select for the media session a higher quality but less direct available path in favour of a more direct but lower quality available path.

Abstract: Instead of utilizing a centralized server or hardware (routers/gateways) to enforce connectivity policy restrictions, the policy connectivity restrictions for media session traffic are enforced by an endpoint that is involved in the media communication. Based on the policy requirements, the client enforces the policy restrictions by restricting the candidates that may be selected for the establishment of the media path. For example, the enforcement may result in the client selecting a path from available candidates that avoids congested Wide Area Network (WAN) links, avoiding a low bandwidth link, or possibly even failing the communication completely. The clients may also provide periodic updates to the policy server to allow tracking of the utilization of managed WAN links.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing video in conferencing are disclosed. A device receives one or more data streams from a media source, where each data stream associated with a data stream identifier. A media source identifier is assigned to each data stream from the media source. The data stream identifiers are mapped to the media source identifiers. At least one of the data streams may be modified by replacing an associated data stream identifier with the media source identifier. The modified data streams are provided to a destination device. A request is received from a destination device for data streams associated with a media source identifier. One or more data stream identifiers are associated with the requested media source identifier. The one or more data streams may be associated with Application sharing/Desktop Sharing, a video quality, a video resolution, a video frame rate, or an audio quality.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing video in conferencing are disclosed. A device receives one or more data streams from a media source, where each data stream associated with a data stream identifier. A media source identifier is assigned to each data stream from the media source. The data stream identifiers are mapped to the media source identifiers. At least one of the data streams may be modified by replacing an associated data stream identifier with the media source identifier. The modified data streams are provided to a destination device. A request is received from a destination device for data streams associated with a media source identifier. One or more data stream identifiers are associated with the requested media source identifier. The one or more data streams may be associated with Application sharing/Desktop Sharing, a video quality, a video resolution, a video frame rate, or an audio quality.

Abstract: Technologies for handling early media in VoIP communications with multiple endpoints are provided. A calling device sends an initial VoIP call request to multiple destination devices, or endpoints. The calling device then receives a provisional response from one or more of the destination devices that includes media streaming parameters regarding the destination device. The calling device creates a media context associated with the destination device that contains the media streaming parameters and stores the media context. The calling device uses the media context to establish a media connection with the destination. One of the destination devices returning a provisional response is selected to exchange early media over the media connection established with the destination device.

Abstract: Instead of utilizing a centralized server or hardware (routers/gateways) to enforce connectivity policy restrictions, the policy connectivity restrictions for media session traffic are enforced by an endpoint that is involved in the media communication. Based on the policy requirements, the client enforces the policy restrictions by restricting the candidates that may be selected for the establishment of the media path. For example, the enforcement may result in the client selecting a path from available candidates that avoids congested Wide Area Network (WAN) links, avoiding a low bandwidth link, or possibly even failing the communication completely. The clients may also provide periodic updates to the policy server to allow tracking of the utilization of managed WAN links.

Abstract: A traffic shaper spaces out bursts of non-audio data traffic while allowing audio packets to be delivered in a more timely manner. The packets of bursts of non-audio packets are spaced such that audio packets are delivered at approximately the same spacing as before a burst of non-audio packets are submitted to be delivered. The packets for the non-audio data packets are scheduled based on the currently available bandwidth.

Abstract: Technologies for handling early media in VoIP communications with multiple endpoints are provided. A calling device sends an initial VoIP call request to multiple destination devices, or endpoints. The calling device then receives a provisional response from one or more of the destination devices that includes media streaming parameters regarding the destination device. The calling device creates a media context associated with the destination device that contains the media streaming parameters and stores the media context. The calling device uses the media context to establish a media connection with the destination. One of the destination devices returning a provisional response is selected to exchange early media over the media connection established with the destination device.