This work presents a framework architecture for
the development of distributed real-time applications
to be integrated into WWW clients. It assumes
a WWW environment over networks providing
a best-effort delivery service like the internets
based on the IP protocol.
The framework is that of an application programming
interface (API) providing the program
developer with the services needed by tolerant realtime
applications. Once developed, an application
is bundled together with the API to form a WWW
plug-in which can subsequently be called from a
WWW client interface or browser. The application
is then perceived as being integrated into the
WWW environment.
The design aims to provide real-time applications
with a transport service layer assuring near
end-to-end isochronism despite the weak guaranties
of the underlying network service. The implementation
of the mechanisms that allow multistream
real-time communications to adapt to the
operational conditions of these networks are discussed.
In this work, the RTP and RTCP protocols
were also implemented as part of the API.
Experience with this framework reports the development
of a prototype real-time application for
multimedia group communication and the analysis
of the behaviour of RTP sessions in a real
operational situation. The analysis uses protocol
state data logged during their operation
