In the field of telecommunications, a communications protocol is the set of standard rules for data representation, signaling, authentication and error detection required to send information over a communications channel. An example of a simple communications protocol adapted to voice communication is the case of a radio dispatcher talking to mobile stations. Communication protocols for digital computer network communication have features intended to ensure reliable interchange of data over an imperfect communication channel. Communication protocol is basically following certain rules so that the system works properly.

[edit] Standards organizations

Most recent protocols are assigned by the IETF for Internet communications, and the IEEE, or the ISO for other types. The ITU-T handles telecommunications protocols and formats for the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The ITU-R handles protocols and formats for radio communications. As the PSTN. radio systems, and Internet converge, the different sets of standards are also being driven towards technological convergence.

For marine electronics the NMEA standards are used.

[edit] Proprietary standards

• AppleTalk
• DECnet
• IPX/SPX
• Server Message Block (SMB) and CIFS
• Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
• Distributed Systems Architecture (DSA)
• Apple Filing Protocol (AFP)

[edit] See also

• Protocol (computing)
• Connection-oriented protocol
• Connectionless protocol
• List of network protocols
• Network architecture
• Congestion collapse
• Tunneling protocol
• HTTP
• FTP
• Digital radio

[edit] References

• Radia Perlman: Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols. 2nd Edition. Addison-Wesley 1999, ISBN 0-201-63448-1. In particular Ch. 18 on "network design folklore", which is also available online at http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=20482
• Gerard J. Holzmann: Design and Validation of Computer Protocols. Prentice Hall, 1991, ISBN 0-13-539925-4. Also available online at http://spinroot.com/spin/Doc/Book91.html

[edit] External links

• Javvin's Protocol Dictionary
• Network Protocol Index
• Overview of protocols in telecontrol field with OSI Reference Model