Why webRTC?
webRTC is a standards based technology that allows client applications, whether in a browser page using JavaScript or in a native mobile application, to communicate with another client using audio, video and data that is sent along the most direct possible path between the clients.
Optando chose webRTC as the basis for its real-time video communications because it is non-proprietary and hence less costly (e.g., no codec royalties) the best way to create and offer open interfaces between Optando software and third party external software or device (e.g., webcams).
Though webRTC is relatively new and still evolving, the technology has rapidly garnered a wide following and support. You do not need to be a super genius to create applications based on our webRTC technology.
webRTC engines supporting codecs such as VP8 / VP9 for video and iSAC / iLBC / Opus for audio are built into widely used browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Opera. The webRTC engines are accessible via defined APIs and JavaScript interfaces that allow JavaScript client applications to negotiate peer-to-peer connections and control the media transport and format. For native applications, webRTC.org provides low-level C++ libraries that provide similar interfaces to those of JavaScript browser.
webRTC technology continues to evolve under the auspices of the W3C (see WebRTC 1.0: Real-time Communication Between Browsers for details) and the IETF (see Rtcweb Status Pages).
Did Optando create webRTC?
No, we did not invent or create webRTC. Early participants in webRTC include Google and Mozilla, the W3C and the IETF organizations. Optando leverages the underlying webRTC protocol whether built into the browser or compiled from the webRTC source for our native applications to bring high reliability and easy to use audio/video communication to client devices and browsers.
What does Optando provide for webRTC?
The webRTC standards do not define how the signaling of the audio/video sessions between peers is performed, how remote users are located or how user online/offline presence is managed. Additionally, the webRTC does not provide the real-time mechanisms for such things as glare control, or timing-out a remote user who does not answer.
webRTC is easy to get started with but requires significant communications expertise to launch a carrier grade service that gracefully responds to such things as network delays, message loss, and latency. Optando software provides the carrier grade communications processing.
How does webRTC work behind firewalls?
webRTC utilizes the IETF standardized Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) protocol (see RFC 5245 for details) for the determination of addresses that are usable behind Network Address Translation (NAT) devices, to allow communications between client peers (e.g., mobile or browser apps). The offers, answers, and candidates are exchanged between peer end-points using the Optando session servers over secure web sockets.
Optando software and the webRTC protocol engines handle all of ICE details so that applications do not need to be aware of traversing firewalls.
Sometimes, the nature of the NAT devices does not allow for suitable addresses to be found for direct peer to peer connections, in this case, a TURN server is used to relay media between clients. The TURN server is secure as it does not decrypt the media traffic that traverses it.
What can I do with the Data Channel?
The webRTC Data Channel is a secure communications path for the transfer of arbitrary data between two clients. Optando utilizes the Data Channel for such things as remote alerts, volume and brightness control on remote devices, remote snapshots, file transfers among other things.
Can Optando webRTC solutions support multiple simultaneous sessions?
Yes, our software includes a session management component that allows multiple independent sessions to be established (e.g., incoming and/or outgoing). There are no set limitations in the software but a realistic number will be determined based on the processing power of the device (e.g., a mobile phone might not support as many simultaneous sessions as a desktop computer with multicore processor).
Is Optando webRTC a meeting room?
No, Optando solutions are not based on a meeting room concept. Our applications provide real-time location determination and presence management to enable anytime anywhere communications. This, coupled with push notifications, which, in addition to significantly extending battery life, allow you to enjoy whenever video communications without needing to coordinate online activity in a meeting room.
Can session requests be automatically answered?
Yes, via configuration options, session request can be automatically answered within a configured period of time. Optando solutions are not based on a meeting room concept. Our applications provide real-time location determination and presence management to enable anytime anywhere communications.
Do Optando solutions integrate with IoT for remote session management?
Yes, Optando video sessions may be initiated based on an Internet of Things (IoT) event. For example, using the Amazon IoT click device, a single click allows a video call to be established to other users.
How does IoT related to Optando products and software?
In the world of connect health and monitoring, the ability to integrate sensor technology into our video communications products further allows Optando to provide solutions that will meet the needs of the future. We currently utilize IoT in our connected health applications to allow, for example, a patient to remotely initiate or terminate a video session while confined to a bed.
Additionally, our software provides APIs that may be enabled to respond to messages from your devices on the same local area network.
Do Optando solutions provide network APIs for external control?
Yes, Optando session management (e.g., launching a new session) may be initiated from an external point via an API. Optando uses this for example, to support activation of a video monitoring session when a remote device detects a trigger such as a loud noise.
Are Optando webRTC voice and video sessions encrypted?
Yes, all voice and video media traffic is encrypted between the endpoints. Session management signaling is carried over secure web socket connections and configuration APIs are carried over HTTPS connections to our cloud servers.
What kind of encryption is used?
webRTC utilizes schemes which are standardized by the IETF for security. Media traffic (the voice and video) are secured utilizing Secure Real-Time Protocol (SRTP) and the DTLS-SRTP is used for key negotiation. The Optando client applications (e.g., iOS application) utilize AES cipher with 128-bit keys to encrypt audio and video, and HMAC-SHA1 to verify data integrity. The keys used in the communications sessions are randomly generated at the beginning of a session and change periodically during the conversation. Hence, webRTC communications is highly secure.
Is private information securely maintained in the database servers?
Yes, user identifying information such as user passwords are held in secure hashed fields inline with current data privacy policies.
However, to maximize your protection, Optando maintains absolute minimal account information (i.e., limited to user name and password). We also use leading-edge, currently unbreakable encryption to protect it.
Additionally, data protection and privacy are not a one-time effort, Optando continues to monitor and implement the tracking the latest security innovations.
Does the iOS application support new iOS 10 features?
Yes, the iOS software supports new iOS features such as CallKit and SiriKit in addition to activation via push notifications (i.e., PushKit) for incoming calls.
Do mobile applications and SDKs support multiple simultaneous sessions?
Yes, the internal session management software of the mobile and browser applications is highly modular and supports multiple simultaneous peer connections. Your user interface (and device processing capabilities) dictate the number of simultaneous sessions that are allowed.
What is the Optando Hello device?
The 'Hello' device is a software application running on a Lenovo Yoga A3 as a kiosk mode device providing features targeted at older adults
Can the Hello software run on other devices?
Yes, the 'Hello' software can run on other Android devices or on iOS devices such as iPads.
Can third party software integrate with the 'Hello' device?
Yes, you might have specific software, such as, for patient monitoring and reporting that would benefit from being integrated with our video communications software. Please contact us to get further information on integrating software platforms.