Communication protocols in networked systems
Communication protocols in networked systems Networked systems rely on a set of rules that both sides understand. These rules are called communication protocols. They decide how messages are formatted, when to send them, and how errors are handled. Good protocols make networks predictable and easy to scale. How protocols work Most protocols use a handshake to start a conversation, a framing method to mark messages, and a rule for responses. Some keep state across messages, others are stateless. Data is carried in packets with headers that guide routing and processing. Checksums verify data integrity, while timeouts detect lost messages. Flow control helps avoid overwhelming a receiver and keeps the system responsive. ...