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Some other networking-related terms are:

1. Domain Name System (DNS): It translates network address (such as IP addresses) into terms
understood by humans (such as domain names) and vice versa.
2. Domain Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): It automatically assigns internet addresses to
computers and users.

8.18 VIDEOCONFERENCING

Videoconferencing is a communications technology that integrates video and audio to connect
users anywhere in the world as if they were in the same room. This term usually refers to
communication between three or more users who are in at least two locations, rather than one-
on-one communication and it often includes multiple people at each location. Each user or group
of users who is participating in a videoconference typically must have a computer, a camera, a
microphone, a video screen and a sound system.

Basically, this is a system that allows us to conduct meetings or trainings in different places
simultaneously. So, this technology is especially popular in the field of business because it allows
meetings or conferences to be held without the need for all the participants to travel to a single
location, so it saves time and money.

The most popular software used for videoconferencing is:

(a) TCP Cam
(b) Ekiga

(c) Skype

8.19 PROTOCOLS FOR CHAT AND VIDEOCONFERENCING

With the arrival of internet, communication formats such as chat and videoconferencing, etc., have
gained popularity. In this section, we shall talk about some common chat and videoconferencing
protocols. The most common chat protocol is IRC (Internet Relay Chat) while the most common
videoconferencing protocols are H.323 and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).

8.19.1 IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

IRC is an application layer protocol that allows users to share text messages. It uses client server
model where the clients install IRC client program on their system so that they can communicate
with IRC chat server to transfer messages to other clients. In fact, the IRC client sends request to IRC
client server and the server forwards this request to another client to enable them to communicate
with each other. It provides one-to-one communication as well as group communication for
chatting and file sharing, such as Talk City. IRC networks such as the Undernet provide servers and
help us download an IRC client on our PC.

The IRC protocol was developed over four years since it was first implemented as a means for users
Computer Networks
on a BBS to chat amongst themselves.
CTM: IRC is used for chatting by sending and receiving text messages. The sender sends request to IRC
server, which then forwards this request to another client to communicate with each other.

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