A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit coupled
to a network and associated with a first e-mail address. The first
videoconferencing unit receives a second e-mail address and automatically
sends a request e-mail requesting connection information to the second
e-mail address. A second videoconferencing unit is coupled to the network
and is associated with the second e-mail address. The second
videoconferencing unit receives the request e-mail and automatically
returns a response e-mail including connection information to the first
e-mail address. The first videoconferencing unit receives the response
e-mail and automatically obtains the connection information from the
response e-mail. Using the connection information, the first
videoconferencing unit initiates a videoconference call with the second
videoconference unit.