SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) Basics

This article will inform you about the Session Initiation Protocol, a protocol that builds communication channels. If you are interested in advanced Internet-based communication then read through this article and watch our video at the bottom of the page.

The Session Initiation Protocol initiates a session, so it builds up a communication channel between participants. The protocol's only task is to build up the channel and to disconnect it (Figure 1). As you can see on Figure 1 Ozeki Phone System connects to a SIP server. This way a SIP client can connect to the Ozeki Phone System.

sip protocol sets up a communication channel
Figure 1 - How the SIP protocol sets up a communication channel

Definition of Protocol

A protocol is a set of rules that describes data delivery. If the computers are connected, they send the data compressed into data packets. The packets are like postal packages: you have to adjust to the rules of the postal system to be able to send something. There are different protocols that are like the postal systems of different countries: different countries need different data to deliver the packages.

SIP

SIP is responsible for setting up real-time connections between end-points. With the help of the Session Initiation Protocol, it is possible to initiate voice and video calls, instant messaging conferences, audio and/or video conferences too.

As you can see on Figure 1, the Session Initiation Protocol builds up a communication channel between the participants: the SIP Client and SIP Server.

SIP System

The SIP protocol is primarily used by companies for building up communication systems. The endpoint needs to be equipped with a headset and a microphone to initiate voice and video calls. You can connect different devices to the communication system: a SIP phone, a VoIP phone or even a softphone.

With the help of the Ozeki Phone System, you can build up a communication system that is easy to handle and provides a powerful, advanced and flexible system. Ozeki Phone System supports the phones that were mentioned earlier. Ozeki Phone System can help you to create a webphone on your company's site as well.

Read the following pages for further information:

If you became interested in this topic, please watch our video:

SIP Basics (Video tutorial)

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