Microsoft KB Archive/157276

{| = What Is a Conference Service Provider? =
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Last reviewed: August 26, 1997

Article ID: Q157276 The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft NetMeeting version 1.0 for Windows 95

SUMMARY
Microsoft NetMeeting can establish conferences using a Conferencing Service provider (also known as a Multipoint Control Unit, or MCU, provider). This is a modem-to-modem connection between the NetMeeting node and the MCU provider. The MCU provider then bridges individual NetMeeting nodes into one conference.

MORE INFORMATION
MCUs provide for data-only conferences because the connection is a public switched telephone network (PSTN) rather than Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The conference must be scheduled with the MCU provider in advance. The MCU provider will provide the phone number, conference name, and any passwords. Participants calling into the MCU must provide the conference name and any password, which is used to determine the bridging of calls.

The MCU is the top node in the conference and is responsible for conference maintenance and overhead.

If NetMeeting is properly configured for multiple Protocols, a participant in an MCU conference can invite other participants to join the conference, even though the other participants did not dial directly into the MCU provider.
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