Stream Control Transmission Protocol

Stream Control Transmission Protocol

INTRODUCTION

          The Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) [1] is a new IP transport protocol, existing at an equivalent level as UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol),[2] which currently provide transport layer functions to all of the main Internet applications. UDP, RTP, TCP, and SCTP are currently the IETF standards-track transport-layer protocols.  Each protocol has a domain of applicability and services it provides, albeit with some overlaps.

     Like TCP, SCTP provides a reliable transport service, ensuring that data is transported across the network without error and in sequence.  Like TCP, SCTP is a connection-oriented mechanism, meaning that a relationship is created between the endpoints of an SCTP session prior to data being transmitted, and this relationship is maintained until all data transmission has been successfully completed.

     Unlike TCP, SCTP provides a number of functions that are considered critical for signaling transport, and which at the same time can provide transport benefits to other applications requiring additional performance and reliability.

     By clarifying the situations where the functionality of these protocols is applicable, this document can guide implementers and protocol designers in selecting which protocol to use.

     Special attention is given to services SCTP provides which would make a decision to use SCTP the right one.