What is a protocol?
A protocol is a set of rules that governs communication between a sender and a receiver via the communication medium. In networking, a protocol defines how the hosts will represent information to be sent across different channels like optical fibre, radio waves etc. A protocol does not necessarily govern the physical medium, as there are different aspects, or layers involved information transfer between two nodes in a network. Each layer has its own governing protocol. For example, the transport layer has the TCP/UDP protocol, the network later has the IP protocol.
A protocol consists of three important aspects:
- Syntax - The format in which information that is to be transferred is represented, is known as the syntax. In other words, it is the grammar or structure of the information presentation.
- Semantics - It refers to the meaning of the bits and bytes that make up information transferred during network communication.
- Timing - Timing deals with the speed with which data are sent across the network.
What are standards?
Standards are guidelines and norms that should be followed by all industry vendors and operators who are responsible for developing and / or managing network systems. There are two types of standards -
- De facto - Standards that have not been approved by an organized body but have been
adopted as standards through widespread use are de facto standards.
- De jure - Standards that have been legislated by an officially recognized body are
de jure standards.
Sunday, 18 September 2016
