Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) refers to a new signaling, presence and instant messaging (IM) protocol created for the purpose of setting up, modifying and tearing down multimedia sessions, requesting and delivering instant and present messages over the Internet. SIP can also be defined as a protocol utilized in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications, enabling users to make video and voice calls, free of any charge in most instances. SIP was developed as part of the Internet Multimedia Conferencing Architecture, and its purpose is to fit together with other Internet protocols like Transmission Layer Security (TLS), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Domain Name System (DNS) and many others.
With these so many protocols, you may be wondering the role played by SIP. By simple definition, a protocol in computing refers to a set of rules or language that is used by computers and networking gadgets to communicate with one another. That is, a protocol refers to the language that computers use to communicate to each other as they share information. SIP is one of such protocols and its role is to enable people the world over to share information using their computers as well as mobile devices via the Internet. To achieve this, SIP offers the basic connection between participants in a communication process to launch the session. It utilizes the Session Description Protocol (SDP) to categorize the nature of communication in any given session. SIP also uses the most appropriate protocol to convey information in any communication session.
According to SIP Harrisburg consultants, there are four basic functions of SIP. These are highlighted below:
- Mapping a name and redirecting information: This encompasses translation of the participants’ descriptive naming details to a SIP location data. This function is part of the two processes, which occur when the sessions are set up.
- Capabilities negotiation: According to SIP Harrisburg, this capability involves determination of the various media capacities of the participants by SIP. It ensures appropriate utilization of media facilities throughout the communication session.
- Participant management: SIP facilitates participant management by enabling participants to manage the integration of new entrants into any given session or termination of current participants during a particular session.
- Capacity management: SIP is capable of monitoring the media capacities during a conference and hence take necessary steps whenever necessary. This dynamic ability can adjust one client’s interaction with others by changing the session dynamically to portray a compounded atmosphere of capabilities.
Session Initiation Protocol or SIP is a protocol that facilitates Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications and enables users to make voice and video calls. You can find more information about SIP here.
