Protocol o perform a task, the involved parties usually follow a common protocol designed for this task The protocol is just a set of rules or conventions Different tasks use different protocols Some key features of a protocol Syntax Concerns the format of the data blocks Semantics Includes control information for coordination and error handling Timing Includes speed matching and sequencing 55 Protocol • To perform a task, the involved parties usually follow a common protocol designed for this task — The protocol is just a set of rules or conventions — Different tasks use different protocols • Some key features of a protocol — Syntax • Concerns the format of the data blocks — Semantics • Includes control information for coordination and error handling — Timing • Includes speed matching and sequencing