AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol
(also ADSP)
AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol definition
AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol (ADSP) was a networking protocol used by Apple devices to communicate with each other on local networks. It worked by enabling the transfer of data between Macintosh computers and other Apple devices in a way that applications could understand. ADSP was part of the AppleTalk suite of networking protocols. However, ADSP is now considered obsolete and is no longer used by modern Apple devices.
See also: data packet, session layer
AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol history
AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol was developed by Apple Inc. in the 1980s as part of the AppleTalk suite of networking protocols. ADSP enabled reliable real-time data communication, making it suitable for tasks like printing and file sharing. It was widely used in business and educational institutions until the 2000s — but phased out by Apple in favor of more universal networking standards (like TCP/IP).
How AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol worked
- ADSP packaged data from applications into smaller pieces known as packets.
- It managed the flow of these packets between devices to ensure data arrived in the correct order and without errors.
- ADSP was designed for real-time communication, making it suitable for tasks like printing and file sharing on local AppleTalk networks.