SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is a protocol developed to assist in providing advanced telephony services across the Internet.
Internet telephony is evolving from its use as a "cheap" (but low quality) way to make international phone calls to a serious business telephony capability.
SIP is one of a group of protocols required to ensure that this evolution can occur.
preview:
http://www.sipcenter.com/
12/2/2000