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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between SIP and SCCP?

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SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and SCCP (Skinny Call Control Protocol) are both session control protocols used in Voice over IP (VoIP) communication systems. They have some key differences:

  • Origin: SIP is an open-source protocol that can be used on any device, while SCCP is a Cisco proprietary protocol used primarily in Cisco products.
  • Functionality: SIP is used for establishing, modifying, and terminating IP-based communication sessions with one or more participants. SCCP, on the other hand, is a lightweight protocol used for communication between Cisco Call Manager and Cisco VoIP phones.
  • Message Structure: SIP has a more complex message structure and supports a wider range of messages, while SCCP has a simplified message structure.
  • Registration: SIP requires registration, including a username and password, while SCCP requires provisioning devices and MAC addresses.
  • Supported Phones: SIP-supported phones are generally more manual in their operation, such as requiring the user to press the speaker button when dialing a new call. SCCP-supported phones are more automatic, with the phone automatically going off-hook when dialing in hands-free mode.
  • Feature Support: SCCP phones tend to have more features supported than SIP phones.

Both protocols use UDP as the transport medium for their media path due to its suitability for real-time traffic like VoIP traffic. Cisco is gradually moving away from SCCP, with only a few SCCP phones supported in version 14, along with analog gateways and DSP registration.

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  • What is the Difference Between SIP and SCCP?
  • Comparative Table: SIP vs SCCP

    • Comparative Table: SIP vs SCCP

    The main differences between Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) are as follows:

    Feature SIP SCCP
    Description SIP is a communications protocol for signaling and controlling IP-based communication sessions with one or more participants. SCCP is a proprietary control and communication protocol used primarily for Cisco phones.
    Open Source SIP is an open-source protocol. SCCP is a Cisco proprietary protocol.
    Communication SIP uses TCP or UDP on port numbers 5060 or 5061. SCCP uses TCP on port 2000.
    Feature Support SIP supports more features than SCCP. SCCP has a more simplified message structure and supports fewer features.
    Device Support SIP is generally used with non-Cisco IP PBX like Asterisk, etc.. SCCP is primarily used with Cisco Unified Communication Manager (CUCM) or Cisco Unified MeetingPlace (CME).
    Registration SIP requires registration, including a username and password. SCCP requires provisioning devices and MAC address.
    Phone Support SIP supported phones tend to be more manual, such as pressing the speaker button when dialing a new call. SCCP supported phones are automatically configured by the CUCM or CME.

    Both protocols use UDP as the transport medium for their media path because it is suitable for real-time traffic like VoIP traffic.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.