What is a Gatekeeper?

A Gatekeeper (GK) is an element proper of the H.323 standard which enhances features for videoconference communications with improvements including address translation, call routing and call control, thus providing scalability and decentralized management. This element is usually described by its functions and it is highly recommended for large videoconference networks. If a network includes two or three endpoints, it is better to use direct calling.

With a Gatekeeper an institution can route calls between videoconference terminals, multi-point conference units (MCU) or other gatekeeper networks. The gatekeepers allows dialing through numbers instead of IP addresses that are harder for end users.

There is a global academic gatekeeper network implemented by Internet2, GEANT, AARNet, RedCLARA and other continental and NREN networks. A terminal registered with any of these gatekeepers will be able to dial globally using a number defined in conformance with the Global Dialing Scheme (GDS) standard.