WMSP Protocol

Windows Media HTTP Streaming Protocol (WMSP) is not the principal streaming protocol used for Microsoft's multimedia products. This system is used if streaming via the Real-Time Streaming Protocol and the Multimedia Messaging System fails.

Features

• All communication between client and server is carried by the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). This includes the streaming of audio or video data. Both audio and video can be transferred simultaneously.

Function

• HTTP is connectionless and stateless. This means that each request from a client is responded to and the transaction is ended. HTTP does not establish a connection, nor does the host record the status of transfer. By contrast, WMSP processes manage a connection over HTTP transfer services. The status of the transaction is recorded. Therefore, although HTTP is connectionless and stateless, WMSP is connection-oriented and state-oriented.

Modes

• The protocol operates in pipeline mode or non-pipeline mode. In pipeline mode, control messages are sent down the same connection as data. In non-pipeline mode, control messages are channeled down a separate, parallel connection.