Functions of Protocols
Ensure data integrity
In terms of data integrity, it means TCP checks the completeness, accuracy and consistency of data after transmission by error checking and using correction protocols. For example, after a computing device received many packages of data, TCP will check the integrity of data and reassemble those packages after ensuring the data integrity, otherwise, packages will be be declined and messages will be sent again.
Manage flow control
Sometimes, the sender send too much or too little information to the receiver and the receiver is not able to digest or it demands more. When there are too much information sent, protocols act like buffer to slow down the speed. When it is too slow, protocols tell the sender too send more information.
Prevent deadlock
When two strangers meet each other, no one starts the conversation. A similar situation in computing system is called deadlock. Deadlock occurs when two or more computing devices are waiting for others to send message first when previous data is lost or corrupted. Protocols decide the order of communication to prevent deadlock.
Manage Congestion
Buffer stores data temporarily in order to slow down the traveling speed of packages. When the buffer is full but data are still sent into the buffer, data congestion occurs. Data congestion will result in the data degradation. Protocols are used to prevent this kind of situation to occur.
Perform error checking
In the long way data was transfer to the receiver, data may degrade. Error-checking protocols’ job is to detect the degradation and recover the data usually by demanding the sender to send the messages again.
Data Transmission Speed
Code Education
Speed of the data transmission across a network can be varied based on the followings:
- Length of the route that the packets have to take between sender and receiver.
- Type of media transporting the data. (e.g. see the following graph)
- Network congestion – causes data to be retransmitted.
- Traffic load – how many people are using network.
- Time of day – people use network more during peek times.
- Weather – satellite and wireless signal interference.
Types of Transmission media
This table was made by the author herself with reference of ("What Are The Transmission Speed For Cat 5, Cat 5E, Cat 6 Network Cable" & "OLYMPUS | Olympus History: VOL. 3 Birth Of Fiberscopes")
Personal Reflection: After learning this lesson, I was amazed by how logical computing system is. Network protocols are so useful and indispensable that computers will definitely encounter malfunctions without them. Also, I learned how multiple factors will affect the speed of transmission. That is why we need to be realistic and practical since there are usually many changes and problems waiting for us.
Works Cited
“OLYMPUS | Olympus History: VOL. 3 Birth Of Fiberscopes”. Olympus-global.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
“What Are The Transmission Speed For Cat 5, Cat 5E, Cat 6 Network Cable”. Home Network & Wireless Network Help. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
Code Education,. The Internet: Wires, Cables, & Wifi. 2015. Print.
“Application Layer Of The OSI Model: Definition, Functions & Protocols – Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.Com”. Study.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
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