A method and system are described for providing a general request/response protocol using a presence protocol. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method is described for using the presence protocol for receiving from a requesting entity a descriptor of a resource associated with a responding entity and a request related to the resource. The descriptor and the request are sent to the responding entity using the presence protocol. Using the presence protocol, a response is received from the responding entity replying to the request. The response is sent to the requesting entity using the presence protocol.