Compaq SCTP Implementation August 2001 -------------------------- Compaq SCTP Implementation Product ---------------------------------- The Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) is an IP transport protocol, existing at an equivalent level as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), which currently provides transport layer functions to the main Internet applications. Initially designed for transporting telephony signaling data, SCTP is now regarded as a general-purpose transport protocol and has been approved by the IETF as a Proposed Standard (RFC2960). Of its many features, SCTP has a number that are common with TCP, including: - A reliable transport service, ensuring that data is transported across the network without error and in sequence - A connection-oriented mechanism, meaning that an association is created between the endpoints of an SCTP session prior to data being transmitted, and this association is maintained until all data transmission has been successfully completed. Where SCTP differs with TCP is in its functions for signaling transport. These functions have been defined to provide transport benefits for applications requiring additional performance and reliability. Signaling transport functions include: - Multi-homing - Support for multiple message streams - Support of multiple paths with path failure detection - Resistance to masquerade and flooding attacks - Efficient selective acknowledgement (SACK). Compaq SCTP Implementation Components ------------------------------------- The Compaq SCTP implementation comprises two main components: an SCTP daemon and a shareable library. Each component has a set of defined responsibilities: - The daemon process sctpd is mainly responsible for IP connectivity: - Receive SCTP messages over IP, verify the checksum and dispatch these messages to the correct user application according to the SCTP port number included in the message - Send SCTP messages over IP, on request from the user applications - Send ABORT when a user application dies. The shareable library libsctp.so is responsible for the provisioning of SCTP services and socket API facilities for use by one or more user applications. For technical support, contact: Compaq IN7 Support 950 route des Colles BP 027 06901 Sophia Antipolis cedex France Email: ss7_support@compaq.com Tel: +33 (0)4 92 95 64 64 Fax: +33 (0)4 92 95 63 63 Compaq IN7 Website: http://www.compaq.com/in7/