Home » Latest, Technology » Sip Vs Skype

Sip Vs Skype

Posted by Editor on Jul 30th, 2010, 402 views // No Comment

IP telephony is gaining popularity for sure and soon it will challenge the contemporary telephony system. VoIP (Voice over IP) is cheaper and has sound quality which is improving with each passing day. It is easy to remember anybody’s VoIP user id than his lengthy phone number and when comes, the popularity and demand the competition begins. SIP and Skype are not only two VoIP service providers but are two different technologies altogether. They are serving the same to the users worldwide but the technological approach of both of these players is entirely different.

SkypeSIP is Public and Skype is Private. Yes that’s true – SIP is a technology standard developed by Internet Engineering Task Force. It only handles the user’s location on the internet, users authentication, call handling and call forwarding. All the other backend support is given by same old protocols of IETF like RTP, STUN and SDP. SIP is used by various VoIP service providers and it works behind their software interfaces. On the other hand Skype does everything on its own without using any of the protocols defined by IETF. How is done and what technique is used stays a secret because Skype is private company and has not disclosed its technology yet. Skype bundles everything in one single installer and if it is installed completely you would not require any other VoIP supporting protocol for this service to run.

Both SIP and Skype use a central server for authenticating and connecting its users and all the contacts lists, ports and IP addresses are stored on these central servers but with a little difference. Since SIP is used by many service providers so each service provider has its own SIP server and on the other hand Skype has just one central server. Again because SIP is being used by various service providers so there can be same usernames for different people but on Skype username has to be unique across the globe. SIP users can communicate with each other regardless of their service providers but a Skype user can only communicate with another Skype user and nobody else. This also brings in a difference between the call routing scheme of SIP and Skype. SIP agents (service providers) connect with each other for connecting a call but in case of Skype it is only peer to peer connection.

SIP network looks much the old telephony network where each country or region has its own station and they connect together to forward/route a call. On the other hand Skype establishes a call based on peer on peer networking architecture. There is no mediatory agent involved in connecting two Skype users together over a call.

When it comes to the Voice quality and transmission both SIP and Skype uses different technology and methods. When we speak on our microphone the analogue sound is converted into digital data by codecs, then and transmitted to the other person’s computer where it is again made audible by the codecs. SIP’s media transfer is controlled by RTP and the codecs used for coding and decoding are G.711 and G.729, whereas Skype uses iLBC and iSAC codec for the same. Skype sends all its data, be it text or voice in an encrypted format and SIP does not.

Skype is currently the world leader in VoIP service industry but SIP is an open interface and is quite flexible so it is quite possible that other VoIP agents may compete Skype and take away its users in future.

Tags: , , ,


Experience the Best Computer Support

Leave a comment

IMPORTANT! To be able to proceed, you need to solve the following simple math (so we know that you are a human) :-)

What is 12 + 14 ?
Please leave these two fields as-is:

Disclaimer - iYogi is an independent contractor and a provider of remote tech support services...read more

Disclaimer - iYogi is an independent contractor and a provider of remote tech support services. The trademarks IYOGI, IYOGI (stylized), GREAT TECH SUPPORT GOOD KARMA, the iYogi character and any combination of these marks are the trademarks of iYogi Holdings Pvt Ltd and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. The site, and all content provided on or through the site, are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, except where expressly provided otherwise. iYogi expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement with respect to the site and all content provided on or through the site. iYogi makes no representation or warranty as to: (a) the site or content meeting your expectations; (b) the site will be available on a continuous, secure or error-free basis; (c) the quality of any content purchased or obtained by you on or through the site will meet your expectations; or (d) all other trademarks, company names, product names and brand names are the property of their respective owners, and iYogi disclaims any ownership in such third-party marks. iYogi bears no affiliation to any third party referenced on this site, unless such relationship is expressly specified herein. For permitted use and specific warranties, please contact the relevant third party/(ies).

This site and/or its content may not be extracted; published; disseminated; or reproduced in material form; and/or may not be incorporated into any contract and does not constitute a contract or a commitment to any specific terms, without the express written permission of iYogi Holdings Pvt Ltd.

iYogi reserves the right to make ongoing changes or updates to, and monitor the use of, the site and content provided on or through the site at any time without notice. ©2005-2010. All rights reserved. iYogi™ Technical Services Private Limited.

Hide