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What is protocol

Overview

A protocol is a set of rules and standards that define how data is exchanged between devices or systems.

For example, in technology landscape

Protocol Description
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) Used for web browsing
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) Core protocols of the internet
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Used to transfer files between computers
Bluetooth Protocol Defines how devices connect wirelessly
Email Protocols Like SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 for sending and receiving emails

Protocols are established by the following entities:

Standards Organizations:

These are official bodies that define and publish protocols used worldwide.

  • IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) – Defines internet protocols like TCP, IP, HTTP, and DNS.
  • W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) – Creates web standards like HTML, CSS, and WebAuthn.
  • ISO (International Organization for Standardization) – Publishes global standards across industries.
  • ITU (International Telecommunication Union) – Sets telecom and radio communication protocols.
  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) – Defines hardware and networking protocols like Wi-Fi (802.11).

**Industry Alliances & Foundations**L

Groups of companies or experts collaborate to create specialized protocols.

  • OpenID Foundation – Develops identity protocols like OpenID Connect and OpenID4VP.
  • Hyperledger Foundation – Creates blockchain and identity frameworks including Aries and Indy.
  • FIDO Alliance – Focuses on authentication protocols like FIDO2 and WebAuthn.

Companies & Developers:

Sometimes, protocols start as proprietary or open-source projects.

  • Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta – Often create internal or public-facing protocols for APIs, messaging, or identity.

  • Open-source communities – Develop protocols collaboratively (e.g., Matrix for decentralized messaging).

How Protocols Become Standards

  1. Drafting – Experts write a proposal (often called a “spec”).
  2. Review & Testing – Community or organization reviews, tests, and revises.
  3. Publication – Final version is published as a standard (e.g., RFC for IETF).
  4. Adoption – Developers and companies implement it in software and hardware.

How to read, understand, and take notes on any protocol specification

To read and understand a protocol specification:

  1. Begin by reading the abstract or introduction to grasp the protocol's purpose and scope.

  2. Identify the key entities involved, such as clients, servers, and issuers, and understand their roles and responsibilities.

  3. Follow the sequence of messages exchanged between entities, noting the conditions and constraints that apply to each step.

  4. Study the data formats used to represent information, such as JSON, XML, or JWT, and understand their structure and syntax.

  5. Analyze the transport and security layers used to protect data in transit, including encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms.

  6. Examine the error handling mechanisms in place, including error codes, fallback procedures, and retry policies.

  7. Clarify the compliance and extension rules, including mandatory and optional components, and understand how they impact the protocol's behavior.