Details: Protocol ST
Protocol ST falls under the category of “experimental” Internet protocols. Originally envisioned in 1979 as an Internet Stream protocol by MIT in IEN 119, the experimental protocol ST has since been revised twice. The first revision occurred in 1990 with the second occurring five years later in 1995. It must be noted that protocol ST is not an Internet standard, nor was it ever intended to be.
According to RFC 1819 which details the second revision of the ST protocol, this protocol is intended to provide “end-to-end real-time guarantees over the internet. This protocol operates in the same layer that connectionless IP operates in. It is intended to supplement the Internet Protocol, not replace it. Protocol ST’s main application is in the transport of real-time multimedia data such as audio, video, and gaming streams.
Protocol ST also allows for the reservation of resources such as bandwidth guarantees Quality of Service (QoS) and timely delivery of real-time data packets. This ensures smooth deliveries. The ST protocol handles data transport while a second protocol, Stream Control Message Protocol, handles control functions. ST uses similar conventions as the Internet Protocol including addressing schemes for identifying hosts.
Associated Protocol ST Applications:
Internet media players