What is SIP Connect Protocol? How it Works with VideoSDK?

The integration of various platforms in communication technology is essential for enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. it's a necessity and that's why we need game-changing technology like SIP protocol that's redefining how we interact.

SIP plays a pivotal role in integration, enabling seamless transitions between voice, video, and messaging applications. With this article, we explore the SIP Connect feature that signifies the capability of developers working with applications.

What is SIP Connect Protocol?

SIP is a signaling protocol that facilitates the initiation, management, and termination of real-time multimedia communication sessions. It is widely used for voice calls, video conferencing, and messaging, making it a cornerstone of unified communication systems. It enables users to connect instantly and clearly and enhances collaboration across various devices and platforms.

What is the Technology Behind SIP Connect?

Let’s understand the main component of this technology and how SIP works:

PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network

PSTN is a conventional landline telephone system that utilizes circuit-switched networks to transmit voice calls. It depends on physical copper wires to establish connections between callers, which makes it a dependable but expensive communication method.

PSTN functions on a centralized infrastructure managed by telecommunications companies, providing stable voice quality but limited flexibility in terms of features and scalability.

VOIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), on the other hand, is a technology that allows voice communication over the Internet, eliminating the necessity for traditional phone lines. VoIP converts voice signals into digital data packets that are transmitted over IP networks, offering a more cost-effective and versatile communication solution.

One of the key advantages of using VoIP with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is the ability to integrate third-party PSTN providers like Twilio for making calls. This enables businesses to leverage the existing PSTN infrastructure while benefiting from the flexibility and cost-efficiency of VoIP technology.

Codec Switching

One of the advanced functionalities of SIP is codec switching, which allows for the dynamic selection of audio and video codecs during a call. This capability is crucial for optimizing the quality of communication based on network conditions. By adjusting the codec in real time, SIP can ensure that users experience the best possible audio and video quality, even in varying bandwidth scenarios.

How to Implement SIP Connect with VideoSDK?

With VideoSDK's SIP Connect feature, you can enable your users to join VideoSDK meetings via VOIP using third-party service providers. This allows for establishing a bridge between participants using our client SDKs and those joining via SIP, enhancing the accessibility and connectivity of your video meetings.

Getting SIP Credentials

To use SIP Connect Protocol, you will first need to generate the credentials for the SIP. Go to the VideoSDK dashboard and under the API Keys sections, first enable the SIP for the desired API key. Afterward, you will be presented with the SIP username and password to establish a connection with our SIP servers.

Use SIP to join an individual meeting

Once you have the credentials, you can use any of the softphones like Linphone, or Zoiper, or use a third-party service provider like Twilio to connect with a VideoSDK meeting by initiating an SIP call to sip:<meeting-id>@sip.videosdk.live.

For example, if you want to connect to abcd-abcd-abcd meeting then the SIP address will look like sip:abcd-abcd-abcd@sip.videosdk.live.

Integration with Twilio PSTN

To utilize third-party PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) providers like Twilio for calls via SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Twilio account and navigate to the Phone Numbers section
2. Purchase a phone number and access its configuration settings
3. Set up a Webhook handler that will initiate a call to the VideoSDK SIP endpoint whenever an incoming call is received on the selected phone number

Example for Creating Webhook using Express

const express = require("express");
const VoiceResponse = require("twilio").twiml.VoiceResponse;
const urlencoded = require("body-parser").urlencoded;

const app = express();

// Parse incoming POST params with Express middleware
app.use(urlencoded({ extended: false }));

// Webhook route which will be called by twilio when a call is received
app.post("/incoming-call-handler", (request, response) => {
  console.log({ request });
  // Use the Twilio Node.js SDK to build an XML response
  const twiml = new VoiceResponse();

  const dial = twiml.dial();
  dial.sip(
    {
      username: "<User name generated for dashboard>",
      password: "<Password generated from dashboard>",
    },
    "sip:<meetingId>@sip.videosdk.live"
  );

  // Render the response as XML in reply to the webhook request
  response.type("text/xml");
  response.send(twiml.toString());
});

//Start the express app on port 8000
app.listen(8000, () => {
  console.log(`Server listening on port ${8000}.`);
});

Why Integrate SIP in Communication Systems?

Improved User Experience

SIP integration elevates user interactions by enabling smooth transitions between various communication modes. Users can effortlessly shift from video to phone calls without disruptions, maintaining conversation flow and engagement.

Global Reach

SIP allows businesses to connect with clients and teams worldwide, with international calls and enabling collaboration across geographical barriers.

Adaptability

SIP's flexibility enables businesses to connect calls to video conferences and switch between media types, ensuring seamless and uninterrupted communication.

Cost Efficiency

Combining platforms through SIP protocol integration reduces hardware dependency and any subscription expenses, streamlining their operations and making them more cost-effective.

Conclusion

Bridging traditional telephony with modern video conferencing technologies offers unparalleled flexibility, cost-efficiency, and user experience. Whether you're in healthcare, customer support, or any industry requiring robust communication solutions, SIP Connect Protocol provides the tools to stay connected and productive.

As we move forward in an increasingly interconnected world, technologies like the SIP Connect Protocol will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of communication. Embracing these innovations today can set your business apart, enhancing customer interactions and fostering global collaboration.

Want to read more about SIP? Explore VideoSDK's SIP Connect and take the first step towards a more connected future.