Here's an in-depth, one-source study of the various technologies, services, and performance issues associated with networked multimedia systems. Prepared by twenty-eight industry and academic leaders from around the globe, this reference helps practicing and future communications engineers understand the impact of fast-moving broadband communications technology on networked multimedia services, and how multimedia applications affect network design. It also provides R&D personnel with the practical information needed to support a wide variety of multimedia services. In eleven information-packed chapters, you learn the latest developments in network traffic control and also... • Networked multimedia standards • Wireless/wireline multimedia technology and applications • Network requirements and planning/security issues • Transmission, switching, and OA&M technologies • Software architectures designed to support multimedia services • The hypes and realities behind the next generation of multimedia systems and architectures