SIP

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Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol used to establish, modify, and terminate communication sessions between Multimedia Endpoints. It is the standard communications protocol for establishing voice over IP (VoIP), Internet telephony, multicast video conferencing, and other forms of online real-time media communication. SIP is the core technology behind VoIP in many different platforms and services.

The SIP standard was created by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) to provide a platform-independent mechanism for initiating communications sessions, sending requests, and creating security associations with other devices on the internet. This protocol has been widely adopted across various telecommunication platforms like VoIP providers, unified messaging services, conferencing systems, etc., making it a cornerstone of Internet communication technology.

SIP is used in various forms: to initiate a call (user-to-user), transfer a call (within the same network or between multiple networks), and place a call on hold. It also supports the creation of new calls from a third party, as well as joining an ongoing call. SIP handles all these operations using a set of commands sent over TCP or UDP that can be used to control and manage sessions.

SIP is open-source, which means its source code is freely available for use and modification by anyone. This makes it possible for developers worldwide to contribute to its development and make improvements, ensuring the protocol remains relevant and up-to-date in an ever-evolving digital communications landscape.

In terms of self-hosting, this refers to hosting your own version of a system on your own server. In the context of SIP, it means that you can install and run your own instance of the SIP protocol software, which will allow you to manage all aspects of calls, users, routing, security, etc., yourself. This gives you complete control over your communications infrastructure and enables you to customize it according to your specific needs.

In summary, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a foundational technology for the modern internet, providing an open standard for real-time communication that ensures compatibility across various platforms and services. By running your own instance of SIP, you gain complete control over your communications infrastructure, offering a high level of flexibility and security.