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Protocols

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Protocols

The internet is made up of a series of protocols. There are Application level protocols and Network level protocols. Below you will find a description of the most common Network level protocols.

Protocols:

ICMP
IP
TCP
UDP

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ICMP (Internet Group Management Protocol)

ICMP is a part of IP and is used to transmit error control and information messages. Pinging, for example, uses ICMP to to test an Internet connection.
Protocols

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IP (Internet Protocol)

IP is a connectionless protocol (meaning the sender doesn't have to establish a connection with the receiver) mainly used to send messages such as in a game where you will see Outpost logging numerous UDP broadcasts by your game as you send information out to other players about your position and what you are doing. IP can split data up in to small packets if the orignal packet is to big to be accepted by the network, IP is also responsable for seeing those packets reassembled at their destination. IP conections are controlled by IP addresses, a unique series of four numbers used to ID every computer on the network.
Protocols

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TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

The main protocol in TCP/IP networks. TCP, unlike UDP, needs a connection so it establishes one between two hosts. TCP makes sure the data is delivered and in the order in which the data is sent.
Protocols

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UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

UDP is a connectionless protocol (meaning the sender doesn't have to establish a connection with the receiver) mainly used to send messages such as in a game where you will see Outpost logging numerous UDP broadcasts by your game as you send information out to other players about your position and what you are doing.
Protocols

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This is an unofficial guide, the information expressed here may differ from Agnitum's. There is a support forum (no longer run by Agnitum, but by users) if you need more help this is a good place to start. Where information here conflicts with what Agnitum have told you always go with the information given to you by Agnitum.

Guide/site and images ©Stephen Cox