in a packet-based network, multimedia streams are broken into packets, sent over the network through various routes, and reassembled into streams when they reach their destination. packet-based bandwidth is dynamic.it depends on how busy and capable the network routes are at the time of the call.

    ip (internet protocol) is a set of rules (a protocol) governing how packets are sent and received over a packet-based network.

    packet-based networking greatly differs from circuit-switched networking (used for isdn lines), which opens a dedicated route by turning on switches along the way to make a permanent circuit between the caller and the party being called for the duration of the call. isdn bandwidth is fixed.other calls are not allowed to use the same circuits until the call has ended.

    although isdn networking offers a fixed bandwidth, and therefore a quality of service unavailable to ip, there are certain advantages to packet-based networking:

    ■ packet-based networks use the existing network and infrastructure. this means lower costs for setup and maintenance. isdn lines are expensive to buy, install, manage and service.

    ■ while packet-based endpoints connect to the existing network at the office, isdn-based endpoints require separate installations for each.

    ■ only ip can integrate interactive and streaming video into a single solution, such as vcon.s interactive multicast.