A video conferencing method is provided in a system for managing voice and
data communications to a plurality of users. Computer data is
communicated between the system and one of a plurality of computers
coupled to the system over one or more packet buses. Voice data is
communicated between the system and one of a plurality of telephone
devices coupled to the system. The voice data is coupled to a TDM bus in
the system, and the voice data and/or the computer data are coupled from
the TDM bus to a digital transmission link. Video and audio data are
coupled between the system and a video conferencing unit and coupled to
the TDM bus. The video and audio data are coupled from the TDM bus to a
digital transmission link of the telecommunications network. A video
conference participant participates in a video conference with the video
conferencing unit over the digital transmission link, while concurrently
a user participates in a telephone call with one of the telephone devices
over the digital transmission link.