How does Google Talk work?

Question

How does Google Talk work? When I am connected to my friend for a talk, what acts as an intermediate one to transfer my voice? Is that a Google server behind it (which act as an intermediate? Or does it provide a point-to-point protocol?

Answer 1

They use XMPP ( jabber )

Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP)

Answer 2

Try to look at these articles:

• GoogleTalk Architecture
• Architecture lessons from Google Talk