Feature | RTP | RTCP |
Main Function | Delivers media data (audio, video) in real-time. | Provides feedback on the delivery of data. |
Protocol Type | Transport protocol. | Control protocol complementing RTP. |
Data Delivery | Carries the media stream itself. | Does not carry media data but control and feedback messages. |
Usage | Essential for the actual transmission of real-time content. | Used for monitoring QoS and session management. |
Transmission Method | Uses UDP to ensure timely delivery. | Also uses UDP, typically sent intermittently. |
Port Numbers | Even-numbered ports. | Odd-numbered ports (immediately higher than RTP’s port). |
Feedback Mechanism | No inherent feedback mechanism for data delivery. | Provides reports on packet loss, jitter, and latency. |
Session Control | Lacks mechanisms for session initiation or termination. | Facilitates participant identification and session control. |
Interactivity | Primarily unidirectional. | Enables bidirectional communication for control purposes. |
Scalability | Directly scalable with the number of participants. | Scales by adjusting the reporting interval based on the session size. |