Scaleable communications system

PURPOSE: An optimized communications system is provided to support audio, video, data, and fax communications between a source personal computer and an audio communications device, such as a telephone or a destination personal computer. CONSTITUTION: The system(100) provides for communications first with an entry node, which selects an intermediate server. The selected intermediate server selects an ITSP gateway, for example, which provides access to the audio communications device. The selected intermediate server initiates voice or video communications using for example, the H.323 standard, with the ITSP gateway. The selected intermediate server then informs the source personal computer to communicate directly with the ITSP gateway. Thereby, the system supports voice or video communications in a "thin-client" environment.