About The Cisco Telepresence Video Communication Server (Vcs); Vcs Base Applications - Cisco TelePresence Administrator's Manual

Introduction
About the Cisco TelePresence Video
Communication Server (VCS)
The Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) enhances the video experience and provides
seamless communication between SIP and H.323 devices utilizing IETF and ITU standards. The VCS is the
center of the video communication network, and connects all H.323 and SIP endpoints, infrastructure, and
management devices. It provides unrivaled scalability and redundancy to video communications, and is
integral to Cisco interoperability with unified communications and Voice over IP systems.
The VCS can be deployed with either the Control application or the Expressway™ application, with various
optional packages including FindMe™, Dual Network Interfaces and Device Provisioning.

VCS base applications

The VCS is available with alternative base applications as described below.
VCS Control
The VCS Control provides internal video control and administration for all SIP and H.323 devices. It is
normally deployed within your wide area network with endpoints that are behind the same firewalls or NAT
devices. The VCS Control replaces the need to have separate H.323 gatekeeper, SIP registrar and H.323 -
SIP gateway servers.
VCS Expressway™
The VCS Expressway provides standards-based firewall traversal for SIP and H.323 devices allowing
secure firewall traversal of any firewall or NAT device. As well as all the functionality of a VCS Control, it
also provides registration of traversal-enabled devices and can act as a standards-based TURN server.
The VCS Expressway is normally deployed outside of your firewall or within the DMZ.
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