WebRTC TURN server: Everything you need to know

WebRTC is a powerful technology that powers live video solutions, and using a TURN server in such applications is crucial. Approximately 20% of WebRTC call connections require a TURN server regardless of the application's architecture. The need for STUN/TURN servers arises due to NAT (Network Address Translation) and firewall restrictions that can hinder direct peer-to-peer connections. STUN is a protocol used to retrieve public IP addresses, while TURN is a protocol that enables relaying data packets between peers when no direct connection is possible. In WebRTC applications, the ICE (Interactive Connection Establishment) framework automatically tries to use STUN and/or TURN servers when direct connections fail. TURN servers are usually referred to as Relay Servers and can be used in various scenarios depending on the connectivity issues faced by peers. To set up a TURN server, one can use coTURN, an open-source TURN server implementation. After installation and configuration, testing the TURN server's functionality is essential to ensure its proper functioning.