Lower layer protocol
Encyclopedia
In computer networking, the term lower layer protocol refers to a more specific protocol when performing encapsulation
.
In discussions of the Internet Protocol Suite
, lower layer protocols are usually considered to be protocols below the IP level
, i.e. the protocols in the Link Layer
.
The term contrasts with upper layer protocol
which refers to a more abstract protocol.
Encapsulation (networking)
In computer networking, encapsulation is a method of designing modular communication protocols in which logically separate functions in the network are abstracted from their underlying structures by inclusion or information hiding within higher level objects....
.
In discussions of the Internet Protocol Suite
Internet protocol suite
The Internet protocol suite is the set of communications protocols used for the Internet and other similar networks. It is commonly known as TCP/IP from its most important protocols: Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol , which were the first networking protocols defined in this...
, lower layer protocols are usually considered to be protocols below the IP level
Internet layer
The internet layer or IP layer is a group of internetworking methods in the Internet protocol suite, commonly also called TCP/IP, which is the foundation of the Internet...
, i.e. the protocols in the Link Layer
Link Layer
In computer networking, the link layer is the lowest layer in the Internet Protocol Suite , the networking architecture of the Internet . It is the group of methods or protocols that only operate on a host's link...
.
The term contrasts with upper layer protocol
Upper layer protocol
In computer networking, the term upper layer protocol refers to a more abstract protocol when performing encapsulation, in particular it is often used to describe the protocols above the network layer....
which refers to a more abstract protocol.