What Does a STUN Server Do?

The STUN server, an acronym for “Session Traversal Utilities for NAT”, is a key component in overcoming the challenges posed by NAT (Network Address Translation). These servers allow end devices, such as computers or telephones, to identify their public IP address and associated port - an essential function for establishing a successful connection over the Internet, especially in real-time scenarios such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

In simple terms, a STUN server works like a digital mirror: it reflects the public address of a device so that it can see its external IP address and port number. This information is crucial for smoothing communication paths between devices and making it easier to overcome NAT challenges.

Although STUN servers are useful in numerous instances, at Virtual-Call we go one step further by using an RTP proxy to solve NAT problems. This approach provides robust switching of traffic between the client and the server, ensuring a seamless connection for our customers by effectively overcoming existing NAT challenges.