In computing, the Link Control Protocol (LCP) forms part of the PPP. In setting up PPP communications, both the sending and receiving devices send out LCP packets to determine specific information that the prospective data transmission will require. The LCP protocol:
- checks the identity of the linked device and either accepts or rejects the peer device
- determines the acceptable packet size for transmission
- searches for errors in configuration
- can terminate the link if requirements exceed the parameters
Devices cannot use PPP to transmit data over a network until the LCP packet determines the acceptability of the link.