Communications Protocol

A Communications Protocol is a technical protocol that enables standardized communication (between networked systems).

• AKA: Network Protocol, Communication Protocol, Network Communication Protocol.
• Context:
  • It can establish Data Exchange through standardized formats.
  • It can enable Network Communication through message formats.
  • It can support Connection Management through handshake procedures.
  • It can maintain Data Integrity through error detection.
  • It can handle Network Failure through recovery mechanisms.
  • ...
  • It can often implement Flow Control through transmission rates.
  • It can often provide Security Controls through encryption mechanisms.
  • It can often facilitate Network Routing through address schemes.
  • It can often support Quality of Service through priority levels.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Data Transfer Protocol to being a Complex Application Protocol, depending on its protocol layer.
  • It can range from being a Basic Point-to-Point Protocol to being an Advanced Distributed Protocol, depending on its network scope.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Hardware Layer for physical transmission.
  • It can connect to Operating System for network stack.
  • It can support Application Layer for service communication.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Remote Procedure Call Protocols, such as:
    • JSON-RPC for web services.
    • gRPC for microservices.
  • Internet Protocols, such as:
    • TCP Protocol for reliable transmission.
    • IP Protocol for network routing.
    • UDP Protocol for fast transmission.
  • Security Protocols, such as:
    • SSH Protocol for secure shell.
    • TLS Protocol for secure transport.
  • Network Management Protocols, such as:
    • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for network configuration.
    • Simple Network Management Protocol for network monitoring.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • File System Protocol, which manages file access instead of network communication.
  • Database Protocol, which handles data storage instead of network transmission.
  • Memory Protocol, which controls memory access instead of network interaction.
• See: DNS Protocol, Real-Time Transport Protocol, Network Architecture, Protocol Stack, Communication Standard.

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