SIP Interoperability Test Event FAQ for Organizers

How can my organization host the interoperability test event?
Contact Henning Schulzrinne. We expect organizations to have attended at least two test events before applying to host one.
What does the host provide?
Hosts provide:

Physical facilities

Communications

To facilitate coordination between teams, hosts should provide

Network facilities

Planning for network facilities should commence at least three months prior to the event.

Hosts should pre-assign ranges of static IP addresses to attending groups and also provide a DHCP server. (Exclusive use of DHCP is not feasible, since servers need constant addresses.)

It is recommended that all IP addresses are drawn from a single subnet, to simplify moving machines between ports. There should be at least 2 class-C nets.

NATs or firewalls must not be used as groups often use off-site servers and SIP will not work across NATs.

IP addresses need to be mapped to host names. One scheme that worked well is to assign names of the form 17.foo.sipbakeoff.org, where foo is the name of the group. Providing at least one SRV record per group is also helpful. Servers can be assigned as foo.sipbakeoff.org. (sipbakeoff.org is the official domain name for the interoperability test event.) Rick Dean currently maintains the sipbakeoff.org domain.

A DHCP server must be available for use by laptops and possibly SIP phones. DHCP hosts should be mapped to dhcpN.sipbakeoff.org, where N is the least significant number of the IP address. For example, 128.59.16.123 would appear as dhcp123.sipbakeoff.org.

Implementations should be entered into DNS before the interoperability test event. Implementations to be tested should be assigned fixed IP addresses; personal laptops may use DHCP.

Registration and miscellaneous services

Users register implementations via a web page.

Attendees are expected to bring their own computer equipment, although providing a few VGA monitors or arranging for an equipment rental service is sometimes helpful to minimize transportation issues.

Hosts also are encouraged to block hotel rooms in the vicinity of the interoperability event facility. However, booking lodging is the responsibility of the attendees.

Providing shuttle transportation from the hotel to the interoperability test event facility is a nice gesture, but may not be needed, as many participants will rent at least one car per company, just to transport equipment.

How much can I charge for event attendees?
SIP interoperability test events are not designed to be a profit opportunity for the host. While there are no firm guidelines, it is expected that hosts charge only to recover direct cash costs attributable to the event, such as food and off-site rental costs. Costs such as staff time or capital equipment purchased to support the event should not be charged to attendees. If a host is going to incur significant expenses, e.g., to purchase networking gear specifically for the event, this should be discussed prior to finalizing the hosting arrangements. Some corporate hosts have decided to forego all charges, while others have charged around $100/attendee, but this is up to the individual host.