Protocol stack

The protocol stack or network stack is an implementation of a computer networking protocol suite or protocol family. Some of these terms are used interchangeably but strictly speaking, the suite is the definition of the communication protocols, and the stack is the software implementation of them.^[1]

Individual protocols within a suite are often designed with a single purpose in mind. This modularization simplifies design and evaluation. Because each protocol module usually communicates with two others, they are commonly imagined as layers in a stack of protocols. The lowest protocol always deals with low-level interaction with the communications hardware. Each higher layer adds additional capabilities. User applications usually deal only with the topmost layers.^[2]

^ "What is a protocol stack?". WEBOPEDIA. 24 September 1997. Retrieved 2010-02-21. A [protocol stack is a] set of network protocol layers that work together. The OSI Reference Model that defines seven protocol layers is often called a stack, as is the set of TCP/IP protocols that define communication over the Internet.
^ Georg N. Strauß (2010-01-09). "The OSI Model, Part 10. The Application Layer". Ika-Reutte. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2010-02-21. The Application layer is the topmost layer of the OSI model, and it provides services that directly support user applications, such as database access, e-mail, and file transfers.

[1] "What is a protocol stack?". WEBOPEDIA. 24 September 1997. Retrieved 2010-02-21. A [protocol stack is a] set of network protocol layers that work together. The OSI Reference Model that defines seven protocol layers is often called a stack, as is the set of TCP/IP protocols that define communication over the Internet.

[2] Georg N. Strauß (2010-01-09). "The OSI Model, Part 10. The Application Layer". Ika-Reutte. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2010-02-21. The Application layer is the topmost layer of the OSI model, and it provides services that directly support user applications, such as database access, e-mail, and file transfers.

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