The CIO multimedia communication platform

Abstract

Within the context of an european networking project (RACE 2060 CIO) the University of Stuttgart is developing a common “Communication Platform” which can be used for (real-time multimedia) data transmission and runs on top of several operating and transport systems. Primary intention is to allow for development of multimedia applications that make use of advanced networking features which will soon become available. While early implementations of the Communication Platform will have to simulate any features missing in current transport protocols, future advances in network research may be included without a need for changing the service, its programming interface, or any applications relying on the CIO Platform. Beginning with a short overview of the whole project this paper briefly describes the Communication Service and its interface focusing on special characteristics of the CIO Communication Platform.