RFC 8656 · PROPOSED STANDARD · 2020

Traversal Using Relays around NAT : Relay Extensions to Session Traversal Utilities for NAT

Overview

RFC 8656, “Traversal Using Relays around NAT : Relay Extensions to Session Traversal Utilities for NAT”, is a Proposed Standard document published in February 2020 by T. Reddy, A. Johnston, P. Matthews, J. Rosenberg. It obsoletes RFC 5766, RFC 6156. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.

Abstract

If a host is located behind a NAT, it can be impossible for that host to communicate directly with other hosts (peers) in certain situations. In these situations, it is necessary for the host to use the services of an intermediate node that acts as a communication relay. This specification defines a protocol, called "Traversal Using Relays around NAT" (TURN), that allows the host to control the operation of the relay and to exchange packets with its peers using the relay. TURN differs from other relay control protocols in that it allows a client to communicate with multiple peers using a single relay address.

The TURN protocol was designed to be used as part of the Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) approach to NAT traversal, though it can also be used without ICE.

This document obsoletes RFCs 5766 and 6156.

Abstract as published in the RFC, via rfc-editor.org.

What “Proposed Standard” means

An entry-level standards-track specification: stable, peer-reviewed and a solid basis for implementation, though it may still evolve before becoming an Internet Standard.

Read this RFC

The canonical text of RFC 8656 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in HTML,TXT,PDF,XML.

Relationships to other RFCs
This RFC obsoletes
RFC 5766 RFC 6156
Other RFCs from 2020

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