Protocol Architecture

Layered Protocol Architectures OSI Reference Model TCP/IP Protocol Stack

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Need for Protocols

The task of exchanging information between devices requires a high degree of cooperation between the involved parties can be quite complex Protocols are a set of rules and conventions. By enforcing that communicating parties adhere to a common protocol, communication is made possible. The complexity of the communication task is reduced by dividing it into subtasks: Each subtask is implemented independently. Each subtask provides a service to another subtask.
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Example: Subtasks of Communications

Example: The purchasing director of the Italian company Vendetta located in Milan, Italy, wants to ask the Sales , Director of the US company Crash with headquarters in , Mobile, AL, about the price of the Ultimo 6000 Supercomputer which is produced by Crash. When we divide the described communication task into subtasks we see that: Separate entities in a company perform certain subtasks Company entities provide services to other entities An entity responsible for a certain subtask performs the task by following a protocol

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Example: Subtasks of Communications

Purchasing Director

Quanta costa l Ultimo 6000?

Administrative Assistant: Translates message and prepares a letter Shipping Manager: Packs shipment Assigns shipping number Shipping Clerk: Determines route of the shipment Mailroom Worker Attaches label Loads mailbag
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

Milan

Mobile

Sales Director How much for the Ultimo 6000?

Administrative Assistant: no action

Geneva
Shipping Clerk: Determines route of the shipment Mailroom Worker Attaches label Loads mailbag CS457

New Orleans
Shipping Clerk: Determines route of the shipment Mailroom Worker Attaches label Loads mailbag

Shipping Manager: Call Italy to confirm arrival of letter Shipping Clerk: Determines route of the shipment Mailroom Worker Attaches label Loads mailbag

Network Architecture
Protocol: A set of rules and conventions used for communication of entities in different systems System: Object that contains several entities
(e.g., the company).

Entity:

Anything capable of sending or receiving information

(e.g, the secretary in a company)

A Network Architecture is a structured set of protocols that implement the exchange of information between computers

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Layered Network Architecture

In a Layered Network Architecture, the services are grouped in a hierarchy of layers. An entity of layer N uses only services of layer N-1. An entity of layer N provides services only to layer N+1. Example: Network Architecture
not layered layered

A C E
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

A C

layer 3 layer 2

E
CS457

layer 1

Layered Communications
Each entity of a system is assigned to a layer An entity of a particular layer can only communicate with: 1. adjacent layer entities via Service Interfaces above - to provide service below - to receive services 2. peer layer entity using a common protocol (Peer Protocol)

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Layered Communications
A communication layer is completely defined by (a) The peer protocol between peer entities at the same layer (b) The service interface used to offer/provide services between adjacent layers Note: When talking about two adjacent layers, (a) the higher layer is a service user, and (b) the lower layer is a service provider

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Layered Communications
N+1 Layer layer N+1/N interface N Layer layer N/N-1 interface N-1 Layer N-1 Layer Entity N-1 Layer Protocol N-1 Layer Entity N Layer Entity N Layer Protocol N Layer Entity N+1 Layer Entity N+1 Layer Protocol N+1 Layer Entity

Note: Layer interfaces define physical data flow. Peer protocols describe exchange of logical messages between peer layer entities
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Service Access Points

A service user accesses services of the service provider at Service Access Points (SAPs) A SAP has an address that uniquely identifies where the service can be accessed

N Layer
layer N/N-1 service interface

Layer-N Entity Layer N-1 SAP Layer- N-1 Entity

CS457

N-1 Layer
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

Exchange of Data
Assume a layer-N entity at A wants to send data to a layer-N peer entity to B.
The unit of data send between peer entities is called a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) For now, let us think of a PDU as a single packet

N Layer Entity

PDU
(at layer N)

N Layer Entity

What actually happens: Layer N passes the PDU to one of A SAPs at s layer N-1. The layer N-1 entity (at A) then constructs its own PDU which it sends to the layer N-1 entity at B. Liebeherr, 1998,1999 at layer N-1 = Header + PDU at layer N Jrg Note: PDU CS457

Exchange of Data

A
Layer-N Entity
control When passed to the SAP, the PDU is called a Service Data Unit (SDU) (Layer-N PDU = Layer- N-1 SDU) SAPs

B
Layer-N Entity

N PDU

Layer- N-1 Entity

Header control
(of layer N-1)

Layer- N-1 Entity N PDU

N PDU

PDU of Layer-N-1
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Service Primitives
Communication between adjacent layers is done via function calls. The functions are called service primitives Almost all communication is done with only four types of service primitives: nREQUEST: entity wants service provider to do work nINDICATION: service provider informs entity about an event nRESPONSE: entity wants to respond to an event nCONFIRM: response to an earlier request has come back

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Service Primitives
Assume the name of a service is called X.

N+1 Layer Entity

N+1 Layer Protocol

N+1 Layer Entity

X. Request

X. Confirm

X. Indication

X. Response

N Layer Entity

N Layer Entity

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Service Primitives
Recall: A layer N+1 entity sees the lower layers only as a service provider

N+1 Layer Entity

N+1 Layer Protocol

N+1 Layer Entity

X. Request

X. Confirm

X. Indication

X. Response

Service Provider
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Example: Sending a Letter

Bob sends a letter to Alice Bob
Logical flow of information

Alice

Bob s mailbox

Alice s mailbox

Postman
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Putting the Example into our Context

Identify the entities? Identify layers? What is the service? Who is a service user? Who is a service provider? What are the SAPs? What are the PDUs? Describe the peer protocol between Bob and Alice? Bob, Alice, Postman Layer 2: Bob, Alice Layer 1: Postman Deliver_Letter ( ) L Bob and Alice Postman Mailboxes Letter (at Layer 2)
The protocol is actually complicated:
When Bob sends a letter to Alice, the letter must identify Alice as the recipient. The letter must be written in a language that Alice can read. Bob must be able to write, and Alice must be able to read. Both need to know where their respective mailboxes are, and they must be able to operate a mailbox, etc.

Which service primitives are invoked ?

Letter is dropped off by Bob (L.Request); Letter is delivered to Alice mailbox s (L.Indicate)

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

(Un-)Acknowledged Service
The example showed only two service primitives: L.Request , L.Indicate
A service which uses these two primitives is called unconfirmed service

US Mail
L.Request L.Indicate

If Bob asks for a certificate of deliverywe would need: L.Request, L.Indicate, L.Response, L.Confirm
The resulting service is called acknowledged service L.Request L.Indicate

US Mail
L.Confirm
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

L.Indicate
CS457

Protocol Architectures
There are only few protocol architectures that are relevant today: OSI Reference Model
Defined as a big effort in the 1970 by ISO to specify a s comprehensive set of protocols for networking. The effort failed, in that the defined protocols are not widely used. However, the concepts and terminology defined in the OSI model are the lingua franca of many networkers

TCP/IP Protocols Suite

The Internet protocol architecture is not the result of a design effort, but has evolved over several decades

ATM Protocol Stack

An example that protocols can be designed by a committee. Future relevance will depend on the success of ATM
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

OSI Reference Model

In 1977 the International Standardization Organization (ISO) developed a model for a layered network architecture This effort was completed in 1983 and is known as the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model The OSI model defines seven layers: Layer 7: Application Layer Layer 6: Presentation Layer Layer 5: Session Layer Layer 4: Transport Layer Layer 3: Network Layer Layer 2: Data Link Layer Layer 1: Physical Layer (Layer 0: Interconnection Media)
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

10

OSI Layers

HOST
Application

HOST
Application

Application Layer Presentation Layer Session Layer Transport Layer Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

Application Layer Presentation Layer Session Layer

NODE
Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

NODE
Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

Transport Layer Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

OSI Layers and Encapsulation

Application Data Header of Application Layer PH SH TH NH DH NH TH TH SH SH SH PH PH PH PH Bits

Application

Data

Application

Application Layer Presentation Layer Session Layer Transport Layer Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

AH AH AH AH AH AH

Data Data Data Data Data Data

Application Layer Presentation Layer Session Layer Transport Layer Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

11

OSI Model in a Switched Communication Network

Node (Router) Network Data Link Physical Application

Presentation

Application
Presentation

Network Data Link Physical

Session Transport Network Data Link Physical

Network Data Link Physical

Session Transport Network Data Link Physical

Network Data Link Physical

Station (Host)

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

A Tour of the OSI Layers

Physical Layer (Layer 1):
Service: Functions: Examples:

Transmission of a raw bit stream over a communication channel Conversion of bits into electrical or optical signals X.21, RS-232-C

Data Link Layer (Layer 2):

Service: Functions: Examples:

Reliable transfer of frames over a link synchronization, error Control, flow control HDLC, CCITT LAP-D

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

12

A Tour of the OSI Layers

Network Layer (Layer 3):
Service: Functions: Examples:

Moves packets inside the network. Routing, Addressing, Switching, Congestion Control. IP, X.25, CLNP.

Transport Layer (Layer 4):

Service: Functions: Examples:

Controls delivery of data between hosts. Connection establishment/management/termination, Error Control, Flow Control, Multiplexing. TCP, UDP, ISO TP0 - TP4.

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

A Tour of the OSI Layers

Session Layer (Layer 5):
Service: Support the dialog between cooperating application programs Functions: Session establishment/management/termination, Synchronization, Recovery Examples: ISO session protocol, RPC

Presentation Layer (Layer 6):

Service: Provides freedom from compatibility problems Functions: Virtual device support, syntax conversion, encryption Examples: ISO presentation protocol

Application Layer (Layer 7):

Service: Provides network access to application programs Functions: Everything is application specific Examples: File Transfer, Electronic Mail
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

13

TCP/IP Protocol Suite

The TCP/IP protocol suite was first defined in 1974 The TCP/IP protocol suite is the protocol architecture of the Internet The TCP/IP suite has four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, and Network Interface Layer

Application Layer Transport Layer Internet Network Interface

telnet, ftp, email

TCP, UDP

IP, ICMP, IGMP

Device Drivers

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

Example: File Transfer

Host A

Router

Host B

FTP program

FTP protocol

FTP program

TCP

TCP protocol

TCP

IP

IP protocol

IP

IP protocol

IP

Ethernet Driver

Ethernet protocol

Ethernet Driver

Ethernet Driver

Ethernet protocol

Ethernet Driver

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

14

Encapsulation in the TCP/IP Suite

As data is moving down the protocol stack, each protocol is adding layer-specific control information.
User data Application
Application Header

User data

TCP
TCP Header

Application data
TCP segment

IP
IP Header TCP Header

Application data

Ethernet Driver
Ethernet Header IP Header

IP datagram
TCP Header

Application data

Ethernet Trailer

Ethernet frame
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

TCP/IP Protocol Suite

The complete TCP/IP protocol suite contains many protocols. The following graph is far from complete
User Process User Process User Process User Process Application Layer

TCP

UDP

Transport Layer

ICMP

IP

IGMP

Network Layer

ARP

Hardware Interface

RARP

Link Layer

Media
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

15

Comparison of OSI Model and TCP/IP Suite

OSI
Application Presentation Session Transport Network Data Link Physical

TCP/IP

Application

Transport Internetwork
Network Access

Physical

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

The B-ISDN ATM Reference Model

ATM technology has its own protocol architecture

Control Plane

User Plane

Upper Layer

Upper Layer End-to-end layer Transfer of Cells Same as in OSI

ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) ATM Layer Physical Layer

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

16

Layers of ATM
ATM Switch

Host A

Host B

Upper Layers

Upper Layer Protocol

Upper Layers

AAL

AAL Protocol

AAL

ATM Layer

ATM Layer

ATM Layer

Physical Layer

Physical Layer

Physical Layer

Physical Layer

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

ATM Layer
The ATM Layer is responsible for the transport of 53 cells across an ATM network The ATM Layer can provide a variety of services for cells from an ATM virtual connection:
Constant Bit Rate (CBR)
guarantees a fixed capacity, similar to circuit switching guarantees a maximum delay for cells

Variable Bit Rate (VBR)

guarantees an average throughput can guarantee maximum delay

Available Bit Rate (ABR)

guarantees fairness with respect to other traffic

Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR)

service is on a best effort basis
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

17

ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)

AAL provides services which are between upper layers and ATM layers. An important service is the segmenation and reassembly of upper layer data Data AAL segmentation Data AAL reassembly

Cells
Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

Cells
ATM Network
CS457

AAL Service Classification

AAL has 4 different protocols: AAL 1, AAL 2, AAL 3/4, AAL 5 Each protocol provides a different service Class A
Timing information in data ? Bit rate of data: Mode of connection AAL protocol to be used

Class B

Class C

Class D

Required Constant
Connection-oriented

Not required Variable

Connectionless

AAL 1

AAL 2
CS457

AAL 3/4 AAL 5

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

18

ATM Services and AAL Protocols

CBR

rt-VBR

nrt-VBR

ABR

UBR

AAL 1

AAL 2

AAL 3/4

AAL 5

Jrg Liebeherr, 1998,1999

CS457

19