Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
In the push toward Internet Protocol (IP) telephony for business communications, many approaches are available to adapt packet-based telephony methods. Among these approaches are proprietary communications protocols, point-to-point only strategies, sophisticated device identification, and carrier-class and enterprise-oriented call management/call control methods.
One IP telephony approach quickly gaining support is the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP is:
- The successor to H.323 for IP-based telephony
- Universally adopted as a standard for premise and carrier-based VoIP telephony
- An alternative to TAPI-based IP telephony models
- A protocol that eliminates the need for a separate IP-PBX and contact center solution
- The standard for session control for a variety of other communications mediums
- Software-based, open and lightweight, allowing organizations of all types to support the new breed of SIP phones along with soft phones, analog phones, desktop PCs, and even mobile devices and PDAs.
For more information on SIP and its adoption as a signaling standard for VoIP see www.sipforum.org.