&xep0166; defines a framework for negotiating and managing data sessions over XMPP. In order to provide a flexible framework, the base Jingle specification defines neither data transport methods nor application formats, leaving that up to separate specifications. The current document defines a transport method for establishing and managing data exchanges between XMPP entities using the existing In-Band Bytestreams (IBB) protocol specified in &xep0047;. This "jingle-ibb" method results in a streaming transport method suitable for use in Jingle application types where packet loss cannot be tolerated (e.g., file transfer); however, because the "jingle-ibb" transport method sends data over the XMPP channel itself (albeit not the Jingle signalling channel), it is intended as a transport of last resort when other streaming transports cannot be negotiated.

The approach taken in this specification is to use the existing IBB mechanisms described in XEP-0047 for transporting the data, and to define Jingle-specific methods only to start and end the in-band bytestream.

This flow is illustrated in the following examples (to prevent confusion these use a "stub" transport instead of a real application type).

First the initiator sends a Jingle session-initiate request.

Note: The Jingle IBB Transport Method defines one attribute in addition to those defined in XEP-0047: the 'stanza' attribute. This attribute specifies whether the initiator intends to send IBB data using &MESSAGE; or &IQ; stanzas, but is purely advisory. The default value is "iq", and it is RECOMMENDED to send IBB data using IQ stanzas instead of message stanzas because IQ stanzas provide feedback to the sender regarding delivery to the recipient (e.g., if the recipient is on a small pipe and cannot handle a large volume of IBB packets in quick succession).

The responder immediately acknowledges receipt (but does not yet accept the session).

If the offer is acceptable, the responder returns a Jingle session-accept and the initiator acknowledges the session-accept.

The initiator then immediately begins sending IBB packets using an IQ-set for each chunk as described in XEP-0047, and the responder acknowledges each IQ-set.

Once the parties have finished using the bytestream (e.g., because a complete file has been sent), either party can send a Jingle session-terminate action.

The other party then acknowledges the session-terminate and the Jingle session is finished.

As IBB is defined in XEP-0047, there is one session per bytestream (which can be used in both directions). To extend this idea, it might be useful to run multiple sessions over a single bytestream. This can be done by sending a transport-info message that authorizes an additional session, as shown in the following example.

Here the Jingle Session ID is the same ("a73sjjvkla37jfea") but the new IBB Session ID ("bt8a71h6") is different from the old IBB Session ID that is already in use ("ch3d9s71").

The same processing rules and usage guidelines defined in XEP-0047 apply to the Jingle IBB Transport Method.

The same security considerations defined in XEP-0047 apply to the Jingle IBB Transport Method.

This document requires no interaction with &IANA;.