Protocols and standards terms

Zone Information Protocol (ZIP) is a networking tool used in AppleTalk, a suite of networking technologies developed by Apple for their computers in the 1980s.

Xinetd (Extended Internet Services Daemon) refers to a super-server daemon for Linux and UNIX-based systems.

Web Services Interoperability Technologies encompass a set of standards and protocols facilitating seamless communication and cooperation between diverse web services and applications.

A web service is a method for different software applications to communicate with each other over the internet.

Web-Oriented Architecture is a sub-type of Service-Oriented Architecture.

VoIP is a method of communicating through calls over an internet connection (as opposed to regular calls made through traditional analog phone services).

A VLAN trunking protocol (VTP) is a Cisco proprietary protocol.

A virtual terminal is a text-based interface within a graphical user interface (GUI) or another program that enables users to access a computer or server.

The Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol is a network protocol that allows administrators to create virtual routers by combining multiple physical routers into a single group with one IP address.

Virtual path identifier (VPI) refers to a key component of the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol, used primarily for telecommunication networks.

The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a connectionless transport layer protocol used in the internet protocol suite for transmitting data packets without requiring a prior connection between the sender and receiver.

UPnP is a network protocol that allows apps and devices to open and close ports automatically in order to connect with each other.

Unix-to-Unix Copy (UUCP) is a suite of legacy protocols and programs used in the transmission of files and email between computers.

Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a simple, lightweight file transfer protocol that operates over the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and uses port number 69.

A transport layer is the fourth OSI (Open System Interconnection) network layer.

Time division duplex (TDD) refers to a wireless communication technology that allows for the transmission of both upstream and downstream data on the same frequency channel, using different time slots.

Terminal emulation is the process of duplicating the functionality and behavior of a physical computer terminal on a different device or platform (e.g., a personal computer or workstation).

Telnet is a network protocol to access a command-line interface on a remote device over a network connection.

TCP handshake is a process in TCP/IP networks to establish a working connection between a server and a computer.

Syslog, short for system logging protocol, is a standard for sending and receiving messages in the form of logs on a network.

Subnetwork Access Protocol (SNAP) is a protocol that helps different network protocols like IP and IPX to operate over common network types such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

STUN is a protocol that assists devices behind network address translators (NAT) routers to establish direct communication with peers online.

The stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) is a communication protocol that network protocols use to transmit multiple streams of data between two points in a network.

A stateless protocol is a communication method where each message is independent and doesn't rely on past history.

STARTTLS is a protocol command used in communication protocols to initiate a transition to a secure channel from an insecure one.

SPDY Protocol was an open networking protocol aimed at speeding up web content delivery.

The Spanning Tree Protocol is a network protocol that prevents loops in a local area network.

Simple network time protocol, or SNTP, refers to a protocol used to synchronize the clocks of computers or devices with a trusted time source.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a protocol for monitoring and managing devices on a network, such as routers, switches, servers, and workstations.

Simple network management protocol version 3 (SNMPv3) refers to a secure network management protocol that manages devices in the network environment.

Simple Network Management Protocol version 2 is an internet standard protocol for looking after network devices like routers and servers.

Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) is a protocol for exchanging messages between SMS centers (SMSCs) and entities like mobile companies or app providers.

Shadowsocks is a secure, open-source proxy protocol designed to bypass internet censorship by encrypting data packets between the user and the server.

Service Location Protocol (or SLP) is a network protocol that helps computers and other devices discover available services on a network (like printers).

Server Message Block (SMB) is a network protocol that enables users to communicate with remote computers and servers — to use their resources or share, open, and edit files.

Sequenced packet exchange is a method of sending data in a specific order from one machine to another.

Secure Shell (SSH) refers to a cryptographic network protocol used in secure communication between devices.

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a safe method for transferring files over a network, like the internet.

Secure Copy Protocol is a network protocol used for securely transferring files between hosts.

Secure connection refers to a connection that uses encryption protocols to protect the data being transferred.

Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a dynamic routing protocol used in IP networks.

The Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) is a network protocol designed for reserving resources in a network.

Request for Comments is a formal document created by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that outlines requirements for a particular type of technology.

Remote procedure call (RCP) refers to a communication protocol that allows a computer program to execute a procedure (or a function) on a remote system or server.

The remote desktop protocol is a technology created by Microsoft that allows users to access and manage computers or servers remotely through network connections.

The Real-time Transport Control Protocol is a networking protocol.

Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is a network protocol used to control streaming media servers.

The Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) operates at the network layer.

A protocol stack is a group of protocols that functions like a rulebook for devices to talk to each other in a network.

Protocol-independent multicast (PIM) refers to an advanced computer networking method to route IP packets to multiple destinations simultaneously over a LAN (local area network).

Protocol conversion refers to the process of transforming data from one communication protocol to another to enable communication between devices or systems that use different protocols.

The Post Office Protocol (POP) is an internet standard protocol used for receiving email from a mail server.

Point-to-point protocol is a data link layer protocol used to establish a direct connection between two nodes in a network.

PIM-SSM, short for Protocol Independent Multicast - Source-Specific Multicast, is a multicast routing protocol used in coordinating the efficient delivery of internet protocol (IP) multicast streams.

Passive File Transfer Protocol, or passive FTP, refers to is a mode of communication in the FTP where the client establishes both control and data connection to the server.

The Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol is a link-state routing method that identifies the optimal path for data packets in an IP network.

OpenSSH is a suite of utilities based on the Secure Shell protocol, facilitating secure remote login and network services.

The Online Certificate Status Protocol is a network protocol used to obtain the revocation status of an X.509 digital certificate.

Odd parity refers to an error detection method where an extra bit, or a parity bit, is added to each data unit.

OCSP stapling, alternatively known as the TLS Certificate Status Request extension, refers to a protocol employed by an internet server to determine the revocation status of a security certificate.

OAuth (Open Authorization) is an authorization protocol that allows users to grant third-party applications access to their resources on another website without sharing their login details.

A nonce is a random number that is only used once by an authentication protocol in a particular communication.

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a method used in computing to synchronize the clocks of different computers over a network.

Network security protocols are rules and procedures that govern secure data transmission across a computer network.

Network protocols outline the guidelines that determine how gadgets interact with a system.

Network File System is a distributed file system protocol that enables computers to share files and folders as if they were locally stored.

The NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) is a network protocol used by Novell NetWare, an early network operating system.

NetBEUI (NetBIOS extended user interface) is a network protocol that was commonly used in the early days of personal computing, particularly in small local area networks (LANs).

Neighbor discovery protocol (NDP) is a network protocol used in IPv6-based networks to discover and manage neighboring devices.

A mix network is a routing protocol that enhances user communication privacy over the internet.

The Media Dispatch Protocol (MDP) is a set of rules that govern how devices share and manage media files, like photos, videos, or audio recordings.

Maximum segment size is a parameter of the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) that specifies the largest amount of data, in bytes, that a device can receive in a single TCP segment.

LonTalk is a communication protocol for networking devices over media such as twisted pair, powerlines, fiber optics, and RF.

A link-state routing protocol allows routers to map the network by sharing details about the state of their directly connected links.

The link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) is a standardized network protocol used for discovering and identifying devices on a local area network (LAN).

The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a client-server communication protocol used to access and manage directory information services over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

Layer 2 Forwarding protocol is an active network protocol used to facilitate secure virtual private network (VPN) connections.

Kerberos is a computer network authentication protocol that allows users to authenticate themselves to a network securely.

Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) is a link-state routing protocol primarily used within large networks such as ISPs or enterprise networks.

IPX/SPX (short for Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange) is a set of defunct networking protocols developed by Novell for its NetWare networks.

IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP) and the most widely used IP protocol.

IPsec is a suite of protocols for securing internet protocol communications.

An IP packet is a unit of data used for transmitting data across computer networks.

The Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) enables communication between distributed programs across different programming languages via the internet.

The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is a network layer protocol primarily used for diagnostic purposes and error detection issues in network communications.

Internet content adaptation protocol (ICAP) refers to a protocol used for implementing content filtering and adaptation services in a network.

An interior gateway protocol is a type of routing protocol used within an autonomous system (a network or group of networks under a single administrative domain) to exchange routing information between gateways (typically routers).

The initial sequence numbers are a unique identifier assigned to the first byte in a new Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) session.

Idempotence is a characteristic of specific processes or functions within mathematics and computer science, where repeated applications yield the same outcome as a single application.

The HTTPS proxy is a request/response protocol that allows servers and clients to communicate with each other.

HTTP is an application layer protocol for distributing information between networked devices.

The host identity protocol (HIP)​​ is a network layer protocol designed to improve the security and mobility of online communications by separating the dual roles of IP addresses.

A hold down timer is a mechanism used in networking, particularly in routing protocols.

High-level data link control (HDLC) is a standardized method used in computer networks to make sure data is transmitted accurately and reliably between devices.

A handshake protocol can create steady connections between unique devices, systems, or networks and is commonly utilized by organizations and people to establish a connection between a server and a consumer.

H.323 is a set of protocols and standards for audio, video, and data communication over the internet in real time (such as phone and video calls).

Gopher protocol is a communications protocol developed in 1991 at the University of Minnesota and named after the university's mascot.

Generic routing encapsulation is a tunneling protocol created by Cisco that provides a private path for transporting packets through a public network by encapsulating packets.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a mobile communication standard used for transmitting data over cellular networks.

Frame Relay is a wide-area network (WAN) protocol that operates at the data link layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model.

A four-way handshake is a type of network authentication protocol that allows an authenticator and a wireless client to establish an encrypted connection without having to reveal the pass key (called the Pairwise Master Key or PMK) to each other.

Fiber Channel over Ethernet is a network technology that enables the transport of Fiber Channel traffic over Ethernet networks.

Fibre Channel over Internet Protocol (FCIP) is a protocol used for the transmission of Fibre Channel (FC) storage traffic over standard IP (Internet Protocol) networks — like the internet.

FastCGI is a protocol designed to improve the speed and efficiency of web servers when they’re handling requests for dynamic content.

External Border Gateway Protocol is a standard for routing between different autonomous systems on the internet.

Exterior gateway protocol (EGP) is an older routing protocol that was used to exchange routing information between different autonomous systems (AS) in the early days of the internet.

The Extensible Authentication Protocol, frequently known as EAP, provides a versatile mechanism for ensuring secure authentication on wireless networks.

EtherNet/IP is a network protocol used in industrial settings like factories.

Endianness is the order in which a computer system stores and transmits multi-byte data in memory.

Encapsulating security payload (ESP) is an encryption protocol that keeps data safe from unauthorized access.

Electronic data interchange (EDI) refers to a standardized approach for the electronic transfer of structured business data between diverse organizations.

The Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) is a sophisticated distance-vector routing protocol employed in computer networks to facilitate the dynamic sharing of routing data among routers.

A distance-vector routing protocol is a method routers use to find the best path to send data based on the distance and the vector (or direction).

Distance vector multicast routing protocol (DVMRP) is a protocol used for routing multicast data packets.

The Digital Transmission Content Protection over Internet Protocol (DTCP-IP) is a digital rights management (DRM) system designed to control the transmission of content over IP networks.

The diffusing update algorithm is an algorithm used in some computer networks.

DHCP is a network management protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other communication parameters to devices connected to a network.

cXML is a standardized protocol used for the communication of business documents.

CSCW (also known as computer-supported cooperative work) are software tools and technology designed to support a group of people collaborating on projects.

A Controller Area Network is a vehicle bus communication protocol that facilitates communication among various in-vehicle systems without a host computer.

Connectionless protocols, such as the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), send data without establishing a dedicated end-to-end connection.

A connection-oriented protocol is a communication protocol that establishes a reliable, dedicated connection between two devices before transmitting data.

In cybersecurity, communication protocol refers to the system of various digital rules and permissions that allow two or more entities, like devices or software, to transmit and receive information to one another.

Common Internet File System (CIFS) is a largely-obsolete protocol that lets users access shared files, devices (such as office printers), and serial ports over a specific network.

The common address redundancy protocol (CARP) refers to a network protocol that allows multiple hosts on the same local network to share a set of IP addresses.

A chatty protocol is a type of computer communication protocol where devices frequently exchange data and signals more than what is strictly necessary for the task at hand.

The Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol is a network authentication protocol.

Bundle protocols (often shortened to “BP”) are experimental communication protocols for disruption-tolerant networking (also known as “delay-tolerant networking” or simply “DTN”).

A bridge protocol data unit is a frame (a single network packet used in data transmission) with information on the spanning tree protocol (a protocol used to prevent loops that lead to broadcast storms and network instability).

Bootstrap protocol (BOOTP) is a network protocol used to assign IP addresses to devices in a TCP/IP network automatically.

BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is a standardized exterior gateway protocol.

Bearer protocol is a method used for authorizing access to protected resources in computer systems (such as web applications, cloud services, APIs, and several others).

BACnet, an acronym for building automation and control networks, is an open protocol standard for communications in building automation and control systems.

Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) is a system that ensures reliable data sending.

The authentication header (AH) is an Internet Protocol security (IPsec) suite component.

An application programming interface (API) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate, interact, and share data.

An application layer is the topmost OSI (Open System Interconnection) network layer.

AppleTalk was developed as a legacy networking protocol for Apple’s Macintosh computers, overall it had no direct implications with cybersecurity as such, but worked exclusively with Apples operating systems only.

AppleTalk Session Protocol (ASP) was a communication protocol that allowed Apple devices to connect and share resources (for example, files and printers).

AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol (ADSP) was a networking protocol used by Apple devices to communicate with each other on local networks.

Apple Filing Protocol is a network protocol developed by Apple Inc. that offers file services for macOS and Classic Mac OS.

Advanced Message Queuing Protocol is a publicly available messaging protocol that allows different software apps and components to communicate.

In computer networks, the address resolution protocol cache or ARP works like a temporary table operating system that maps IP addresses to MAC addresses in the local network frame.

A 3-way handshake is a process of three steps in the TCP/IP network to establish a connection between a server and client.