DOCUMENT:Q103953 30-JUL-2001 [crossnet] TITLE :Basic Protocol Requirements in Microsoft Network Architecture PRODUCT :Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT Networking Issues PROD/VER: OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== Here are some basic protocol requirements within the Microsoft network architecture: - Each protocol layer offers one or more services to the functional layer above it. For instance, the NetBEUI logical link control (LLC) layer offers reliable connection oriented message services, as well as connectionless datagram data transfer services. - Each protocol operates within a well-defined environment, with several specific terms and objects. As an example, consider the Microsoft redirector server message block (SMB) protocol with its process IDs (PIDs), tree IDs (TIDs), multiplex IDs (MIDs) and more. - Each protocol has its own vocabulary of commands and associated responses that it uses in performing its services. NetBEUI's transport layer, for example, uses an "add.name.query" command to determine if a given name is unique on the network. - Because each protocol layer needs to add its own header (and sometimes trailer) to the network-bound frame, they all have a structured format by which they build the frame that they will pass to the layer below. - For each command/response defined, there is an associated set of procedural rules. For example, when the NetBEUI transport protocol "add.name.query" command is issued, no response within a configurable time period indicates that the specified name is unique on the network, whereas an "add.name.response" response indicates that the name is not unique and therefore cannot be used. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.