WebRTC

1 min read

Pronunciation

[web-are-tee-see]

Analogy

WebRTC is like a direct phone line between two browsers—once connected, they talk directly without going through a central switchboard.

Definition

A set of real‑time communication protocols and APIs enabling peer‑to‑peer audio, video, and data exchange directly between browsers and applications.

Key Points Intro

WebRTC facilitates real‑time interactions via:

Key Points

Peer connections: Establishes P2P channels with ICE, STUN, and TURN.

Media streams: Transmits audio/video with RTP and SRTP.

Data channels: Unordered or reliable data transfer over SCTP.

NAT traversal: Uses ICE framework to traverse firewalls.

Example

A -based identity app uses WebRTC data channels to sync user credentials directly between devices without a central server.

Technical Deep Dive

WebRTC’s connection process uses ICE to gather candidates, STUN to discover public endpoints, and TURN for relay if direct connection fails. Once DTLS‑SRTP sessions are negotiated, RTP streams carry media, and SCTP over DTLS carries data channel messages. Signaling (SDP exchange) occurs out‑of‑band via WebSocket or HTTP.

Security Warning

Misconfigured TURN servers can expose addresses; always secure signaling channels with TLS.

Caveat

Browser compatibility and network restrictions can complicate peer connection establishment.

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