A handshaking protocol is a way by which 2 PC on a network set up a connection through some kind of networking equipment. All network connection, like a request from a Web browser to a Web server, or a file-sharing connection between 2 peer PCs, has its own handshaking protocol that must be completed before finishing the action requested by the user.

Facts

1. A handshaking protocol is a method by which data is estimated to be received, the content of the primary information sent and the parameters of the response. A handshake can be a single-query-response process, or it can be many such processes. A ping from 1 PC to a different sends a single Internet packet and reacts with a different single packet; as this is the easiest likely handshake, it is often used to check basic network connections. On the flip side, a virtual private network connection request will have many handshaking processes as the VPN may check the incoming IP address of the request, the user name and password and the requested access; meanwhile, the sending PC will monitor the integrity of the VPN's security certificate.

History

2. A lot of people were exposed to the idea of a handshake with dial-up modems and fax devices; the characteristic sounds they made when connecting were an audible representation of the modem handshake.

Significance

3. Almost all Internet connection needs an invisible handshaking way before sending the data requested; a primary request for a Web page includes a hypertext transfer protocol handshake, which is conducted invisibly between the browser and the Web server. Quick and efficient handshaking protocols are crucial for any server that is estimated to control a heavy load.

Types

4. There are various handshaking protocols in use and no limit to the number of handshaking ways that can be theoretically devised. Examples of handshaking in use on the Internet can be found by looking for "handshake" under Internet RFC Archives.

Time Frame

5. Handshaking is created to be a fast prelude to other network activity; many Internet handshaking protocols are created to be sending out in nanoseconds of PC CPU time and under milliseconds of network time.