RTCP
RTCP (RTP Control Protocol) is a companion protocol to RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) used in multimedia communication systems, such as VoIP, video conferencing, and streaming. It provides out-of-band control and statistics for RTP sessions, including quality-of-service feedback, participant identification, and session management. RTCP operates on a separate port from RTP, typically using an odd-numbered port adjacent to the even-numbered RTP port.
Developers should learn RTCP when building real-time communication applications, such as video conferencing tools, live streaming platforms, or VoIP systems, to monitor and optimize media quality. It is essential for implementing features like network congestion control, participant synchronization, and session reporting, ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission. Use cases include WebRTC implementations, SIP-based telephony, and IPTV services where real-time feedback is critical.