Some Internet service providers and enterprises still use Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) as an authentication, authorization and accounting protocol for controlling access to network resources. However, in more and more cases, a switch is being made to the newer Session Initiation Protocol (News - Alert) (SIP).

 

The differences between RADIUS and SIP are not always clearly understood. To shed some light on this topic, TMCnet asked Barry Sher (News - Alert), vice president of business development at IVR Technologies, to list five advantages SIP has over RADIUS. Sher listed the following points, expanded upon here.

 

 

This advantage emphasizes two things. First, that SIP is extensible. This word can be defined in different ways, but in the context of software development it means “taking into consideration future growth.” Software extensibility is an implementation principle that makes it easier to extend, or add new features to, a system in the future.

 

Second, SIP is standard for VoIP. SIP, accepted by the 3GPP as part of the IMS architecture, is used as a signaling protocol for VoIP, and has largely overtaken H.323 as the dominant protocol.

 

 

SIP is not only used for basic signaling functions; it can also perform more advanced processing present in Signaling System 7 (SS7). SIP is a peer-to-peer protocol, requiring a simple and scalable core network. This makes SIP more flexible than SS7.

 

 

Because it is so flexible, and has been so widely adopted, SIP creates a high level of interoperability between hardware and software solutions from many, many vendors. This helps providers and enterprises achieve ROI by enabling interconnection between products, software and networks.

 

 

SIP is more adept than RADIUS at performing call control. It also makes it possible to achieve increased efficiency for networks.

 

 

Because of its extensibility, flexibility and functionality, SIP is quite scalable and efficient as a protocol for building network configurations. In particular, it’s good for creating redundant configurations—a vital part of business continuity initiatives.