www.ijird.com November, 2014 Vol 3 Issue 11 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Page 96 Implementing a LAN Video Calling Application (VinceS-Tool) which Minimizes Bandwidth and Network Resources Better than Skype 1. Problem Identification 1.1. Introduction Video calling connects individuals in real time through audio and video communication over broadband networks enabling visual meetings and collaboration on digital documents and shared presentations (VCAEditors, 2014). Technology such as VoIP can be used together with desktop video calling to facilitate low cost face to face communication without having to leave the desk, especially for businesses with satellite offices-video calling is also used by businesses to establish profitable relationships quickly and efficiently without leaving their place of work. 1.1.2. Background Face to face communication on the internet has become a modern culture, connecting distanced peers with the common example being Skype. Video calling has become increasingly available as the technology required to support it for example smart phones, computers and the internet are now globally available. 1.2. Problem Statement Skype cannot work on a LAN without internet connection and its central server as inclusive resources. Skype Video call automatically uses the frame rate, the packet size and the video resolution in order match most available bandwidth so it does not allow use of a lower bandwidth than the available bandwidth (Cicco et al., 2011). Since Skype was built with the assumption of fast, usable and stable connections in a high bandwidth environment, complications like network bandwidth starvation, jerky video and unreliable audio arise when they are used under inconsistent bandwidth especially in developing countries like Zimbabwe. (Paul, 2006) mentions that Skype client acts as a "super node" and makes itself available to relay calls made by other users. Having numerous super nodes on a school network increases bandwidth consumption which has led to a ban on Skype on some USA Local area networks (Paul, 2006). Each super node handles several hundred clients, based on their memory and bandwidth availability (Frank Bulk, 2004).If Skype strains network bandwidth in developed countries then it brings more strain to a developing country’s network bandwidth. ISSN 2278 – 0211 (Online) Prudence M Mavhemwa Lecturer, Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe Vincent Chaitezvi Student, Department of Computer Science, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe Abstract : Video calling allows for real time face to face communication. Skype is currently one of the leading video calling applications, it uses hybrid peer to peer network architecture which requires super nodes, central servers, internet connection as part of resources. Previous researches have proven that the network architecture used by Skype demands high bandwidth and expensive resources ,the researchers proposed alternative approaches for implementing video calling applications and network architectures that could help in minimizing bandwidth usage and resource requirements in comparison to Skype.The research project implements a LAN video calling application (VinceS-tool) using the proposed alternative approaches, to minimize bandwidth consumption and resource requirements during video calling. Keywords: Codec, Media, MOS, SIP, VoIP