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An Analysis of the Skype Protocol

Posted by michael on from the past-the-firewall-nothing-but-net dept.

zib writes "Ever felt a need to peek under the hood of your Skype client? This paper (PDF) explains all the details. Among other issues, it focuses on the NAT capabilities of Skype and audio compression."

3 of 161 comments (clear)

  1. Skype Banned by Realistic_Dragon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Do you really want to be running Skype or let it onto your network? At my university Skype has been banned. Here is the reasoning:

    Skype Peer to Peer Telephony software is now also prohibited. Skype is a
    free application that facilitates free telephone calls through the use of
    an internet connection.

    Calls made using the system are directed through 'Supernodes', which can be
    ordinary PC's with Skype installed. Machines on fast and well connected
    Internet feeds like the $Network are likely to automatically become
    'Supernodes' and forward a considerable amount of traffic.

    This allows Skype to route other peoples Voice over IP calls using your
    machine and the university internet connection. This is in breach of the
    Acceptable Use Policy and could potentially put the university's network
    and core business at risk.

    Finally, the Skype End User License Agreement (EULA) grants Skype permission
    to install and use 3rd party software on computers running Skype. This could
    include an array of spyware and adware that is likely to threaten the
    privacy of anyone installing this software.

    --
    Beep beep.
  2. Worst thing about Skype. . . by aarku · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The program can automatically elevate itself to a Supernode and start chewing bandwidth. Not only that, but it alerts your friendly University system administrator that you may be "sharing copyrighted materials with Kazaa" and you have them frowning at them (and randomly shutting off your port because they believe you have been "hacked") Just use a different free Internet Telephony application.

  3. Don't knock it. by Facekhan · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Proprietary or not, it works and its easy to use. Skype does a lot of things differently than SIP. 256 bit AES encryption is strong enough to protect your data well into the near future.

    It uses very little bandwidth and those Universities who are banning the software are just kneejerking to a new technology, just showing how far from the academic mission of research and experimentation most colleges have gone. Even more telling is how most Colleges charge exorbitant fees for local and long distance phone calls from student dorm phones. Why would they want to allow a technology onto their network that will mean less money going into their pockets.

    As to the bandwidth issues, I think they greatly exaggerate the bandwidth use of a Skype supernode in order to justify their kneejerk reaction to any new technology on their network that does not come with a 3 year agreement with Dell and Microsoft.