Race-Project Cio (R2060): Coordination, Implementation and Operation of Multimedia Tele-Services on Top of a Common Communication Platform

Two advanced multimedia Tele-Services, a Multimedia Messaging Service and a JointViewing and Tele-Operation Service are specified and implemented as prototypes on various endsystems. The endsystems, installed in selected IBC islands, are integrated in selected advanced communication experiments. The Tele-Services are tested, demonstrated and exploited on the base of a common communication platform which is specified and implemented in an heterogeneous network and endsystem environment as well. The project has been started this year with 19 partners. It will be proved that few advanced Tele-Services can support a wide variety of applications. These services will be introduced on the basis of a common communication platform. This will allow to rapidly start with Tele-Service operation on isolated islands and to later interconnect islands without causing changes for the Tele-Service users. 1 . Technical Approach The project CIO (Coordination, Implementation & Operation) incorporates important steps for a successful realization of future multimedia communication. Multimedia communication requires a commonly agreed action plan supported by the common understanding of two agreed platforms (fig.1). These platforms cover different technical areas and both combined offer open broadband communication: a communication platform in order to cover in a standardized way as many network techniques (B-ISDN and sub-networks) as possible and their interworking; resources provided under the communication platform are responsible for the connection/disconnection and the bittransparent provision of an end-to-end communication path between even different endsystems; a service platform in order to cover in a standardized way as many multifunctional endsystems as: possible applying common communication services (i.e. protocols and data structurt:s) and their interoperability; resources provided under the service platform are responsible for the execution of the specific communication service between even different endsystems including creation and interpretation of the common data structures by programs. Endsystenls (Terminals, Server etc)