Real–Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) session helper (rtsp)
The Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is an application layer protocol often used by SIP to control the delivery of multiple synchronized multimedia streams, for example, related audio and video streams. Although RTSP is capable of delivering the data streams itself it is usually used like a network remote control for multimedia servers. The protocol is intended for selecting delivery channels (like UDP, multicast UDP, and TCP) and for selecting a delivery mechanism based on the Real-Time Protocol (RTP). RTSP may also use the SIP Session Description Protocol (SDP) as a means of providing information to clients for aggregate control of a presentation consisting of streams from one or more servers, and non-aggregate control of a presentation consisting of multiple streams from a single server.
To accept RTSP sessions you must add a security policy with service set to any or to the RTSP pre-defined service (which listens on TCP ports 554, 770, and 8554 and on UDP port 554). The rtsp session helper listens on TCP ports 554, 770, and 8554.
The rtsp session help is required because RTSP uses dynamically assigned port numbers that are communicated in the packet body when end points establish a control connection. The session helper keeps track of the port numbers and opens pinholes as required. In Network Address Translation (NAT) mode, the session helper translates IP addresses and port numbers as necessary.
In a typical RTSP session the client starts the session (for example, when the user selects the Play button on a media player application) and establishes a TCP connection to the RTSP server on port 554. The client then sends an OPTIONS message to find out what audio and video features the server supports. The server responds to the OPTIONS message by specifying the name and version of the server, and a session identifier, for example, 24256-1.
The client then sends the DESCRIBE message with the URL of the actual media file the client wants to play. The server responds to the DESCRIBE message with a description of the media in the form of SDP code. The client then sends the SETUP message, which specifies the transport mechanisms acceptable to the client for streamed media, for example RTP/RTCP or RDT, and the ports on which it receives the media.
In a NAT configuration the rtsp session helper keeps track of these ports and addresses translates them as necessary. The server responds to the SETUP message and selects one of the transport protocols. When both client and server agree on a mechanism for media transport the client sends the PLAY message, and the server begins streaming the media.