If you’re wondering what WebRTC is, you’re not alone. It’s a technology that allows high-quality video conferences and file sharing without needing apps or plug-ins. And it’s ready for mass adoption. Here are some of the benefits of WebRTC.
Peer-to-peer Communication
WebRTC is a peer-to-peer communication protocol that performs communication between device applications. The device application starts a session, requests credentials from a host server, and generates a key pair and certificate fingerprint. Once these are created, the device application and the host server exchange fingerprints.
A growing number of communication gateways support WebRTC. The most famous example is Asterisk, an open-source framework used by individual businesses and large carriers worldwide. Asterisk includes a WebSocket module that enables WebRTC to use the SIP signaling protocol. In this case, the browser establishes a WebSocket connection with an Asterisk gateway and exchanges SIP messages to establish the session.
Another application for WebRTC is simplifying service subscriptions. Many services require end users to register with their email addresses. However, the services are only delivered once the user responds to the email. WebRTC provides functions and APIs to help identity providers avoid this problem. By avoiding email confirmation, WebRTC allows a service to generate credentials automatically without user authentication.
File sharing
File-sharing applications built with WebRTC have several advantages over other file transfer methods. The technology uses data channels that are reliable and orderly by default. With the ability to create and manage data channels, developers can develop new apps. However, some issues exist. For example, sending large files is difficult because the default buffer size of browsers is only 256kB.
WebRTC can improve security by using SRTP encryption to protect your data. It can also reduce the load on servers by making good use of upstream web resources. This will reduce the waiting time for users and improve transfer speed.
Security
WebRTC has several security features:
- It uses a P2P communication model, allowing content to be sent between two peers without a server.
- It requires a browser to authenticate the content it receives. The client must treat HTTP and HTTPS origins as different permissions domains.
- It uses strong authentication.
While WebRTC has built-in security, you can add additional security measures by implementing authentication or identity management. Proper implementation of these features can prevent major security breaches. Moreover, WebRTC was designed with security in mind. The browsers are the first line of defense between the Internet and the user, so they must keep their users safe. Therefore, updates are regularly released, and security measures are continually improved.
Encryption
Security is a significant concern when using WebRTC. There are numerous vulnerabilities, including those affecting Web browsers and operating systems. Encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect WebRTC communications. Besides preventing eavesdropping, encryption also protects against most attacks. This security technique requires using secure protocols in the browser and operating system and a secure network.
WebRTC encryption ensures the security of data transferred from one browser to another. The technology works by automatically encrypting data as it moves between browsers. In the case of video data, the same technology is used.
Requires a Server
A WebRTC server is a computer that performs all the necessary computations on behalf of WebRTC clients. In most cases, this server is purchased from an IaaS provider. A WebRTC server can be configured to work with the SIP or other proprietary signaling protocols. It can also handle NAT and firewall traversal.
There are two types of WebRTC servers: NAT traversal servers and signaling servers. The first establishes the connection between two devices, while the latter handles the connection and closes it at the end of the call. The latter also manages the connection between multiple clients.
