What is MIME type "application/rls-services+xml"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/rls-services+xml is an XML-based format. It defines structured data for resource list services. In simple terms, it describes service endpoints and configuration details used by systems that manage multiple networked services.
Files using this MIME type typically carry the file extension RS.

Service Aggregation: Lists and organizes multiple service entries.
Configuration Exchange: Transfers details about how services interconnect.
Interoperability: Supports communications between different networked systems.

The use of XML ensures the data is both human‐readable and machine-parsable. This makes it practical for environments like telecommunications and unified communication systems. For more technical details, see the IANA registry on this MIME type.

Associated file extensions

.rs

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/rls-services+xml

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/rls-services+xml">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/rls-services+xml');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.rs

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of application/rls-services+xml?

This MIME type is used to describe Resource List Services (RLS) within SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) environments. It structures XML data to manage lists of users or resources, commonly used in instant messaging and presence applications.

How do I distinguish an RLS .rs file from a Rust source file?

Open the file in a text editor; if it contains XML tags like <rls-services>, it matches application/rls-services+xml. If the file contains programming code, it is likely a Rust source file, which typically uses the MIME type text/x-rust or text/plain despite sharing the .rs extension.

How can I view the contents of a file with this MIME type?

Since the format is based on XML, you can view and edit the file using any standard text editor like Notepad++, VS Code, or Sublime Text. However, these files are primarily intended to be parsed by servers managing network resources, not humans.

How do I configure Apache to serve application/rls-services+xml?

You can enable this MIME type by adding the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/rls-services+xml .rs. This ensures browsers and clients interpret the file as an XML service description rather than a generic binary or text file.

What is the correct Nginx configuration for this content type?

To serve files with the .rs extension as RLS XML data in Nginx, add the entry application/rls-services+xml rs; inside the types { ... } block of your nginx.conf or mime.types file, then reload the server.

Are there security risks associated with application/rls-services+xml?

Yes, because it is an XML-based format, it can be vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) attacks if the parser is not secured. Developers processing these files should ensure their XML parsers disable external entity resolution to prevent unauthorized data access.

Which technical standard defines this MIME type?

The application/rls-services+xml media type is defined in RFC 4826. This standard outlines the XML format for representing resource list services to support the subscription to lists of resources in SIP-based systems.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.