SIMPLE
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In computing, SIMPLE (Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions) is an instant messaging (IM) and presence protocol suite based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Like XMPP, and in contrast to the vast majority of IM and presence protocols used by software deployed today, SIMPLE is an open standard.
SIMPLE applies the SIP to the problems of:
- Registering for presence information and receiving notifications when such events occur, for example when a user logs-in or comes back from lunch.
- Sending short messages, analogous to SMS or two-way paging.
- Managing a session of real-time messages between two or more participants.
As of 2006, SIMPLE was IETF work in progress, taking place in the SIMPLE Working Group. Some parts have been standardized, e.g. RFC 3428. Other parts, in particular IM sessions, are still under discussion. However, several implementations are already available, notably including the Microsoft Windows Messenger.
SIMPLE is not the only IM protocol suite being developed within the IETF. XMPP, which is at the core of the Jabber IM system, was also standardized by IETF.
Despite its name, SIMPLE is not simple. It is defined by about 30 documents or more than 1000 pages (7 times more than HTTP 1.1, 15 times more than SMTP and IRC).
