Final answer:
The H.323 standard defines protocols for voice, video, and data communication over packet-based networks, ensuring interoperability between different multimedia communication systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The H.323 standard defines a set of protocols for voice, video, and data communication over packet-based networks such as the Internet. Developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), H.323 provides specifications for real-time, interactive conferencing services, which include audio, video, and data communications. It is widely used in IP telephony systems, video conferencing, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. The standard encompasses various aspects of communication, including call signaling, call setup, packetization of multimedia, bandwidth management, and interoperability with other protocols and standards.
H.323 was designed to ensure compatibility and interoperability between different vendors' equipment, thus enabling seamless communication across diverse systems. It is part of a broader set of ITU-T recommendations called the H.3xx series, which address different aspects of multimedia communication and conferencing over networks.