Protocol stack: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:13, 19 August 2002

Revision as of 16:48, 19 August 2002

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[A] [B]_____[C]

Imagine three computers ''A'', ''B'', and ''C''. ''A'' and ''B'' both have radio equipment, and can communicate via the airwaves using a suitable network protocol like [[IEEE 802.11]]. ''B'' and ''C'' are connected via a cable, exchanging data over that - again with the help of a protocol (for example [[Ethernet]]). However, noneneither of thisthese two protocols will be able to transport information from ''A'' to ''C'', because these computers are conceptually on different networks. One therefore needs an inter-network protocol to "connect" them.

One could combine our two protocols to form a powerful third mastering both cable and wireless transmission, but we would need a different super-protocol for each possible combination of protocols. It is easier to leave the base protocols alone, and design a protocol that can work on top of any of them (the [[Internet protocol]] is an example). This will make two stacks of two protocols each. The inter-network protocol will communicate with each of the base protocol in their simpler language. The base protocols will not talk directly to each other.