White Papers IT Jobs Events Research Premium Services Training & Certification Media Kit
free news! your email
IT Management
internet.com

Subjects      
 Chips & Upgrades
 Computers
 News
 Opinions
 Peripherals
Systems Software

  SysOpt

internet.commerce
-
Be a Commerce Partner














Search
Earthweb
The Web

Search for more hardware and systems terms . . .
 
protocol stack
Last modified: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 

A set of network protocol layers that work together. The OSI Reference Model that defines seven protocol layers is often called a stack, as is the set of TCP/IP protocols that define communication over the internet.

The term stack also refers to the actual software that processes the protocols. So, for example, programmers sometimes talk about loading a stack, which means to load the software required to use a specific set of protocols. Another common phrase is binding a stack, which refers to linking a set of network protocols to a network interface card (NIC). Every NIC must have at least one stack bound to it.

In Windows, the TCP/IP stack is implemented by the Winsock DLL.

  Related Links

Protocols and Protocol Stacks
Shows how the layers of TCP/IP and other popular network protocols relate differently to the OSI model.

PracticallyNetworked.com
PracticallyNetworked.com provides easy-to-understand help for small-network builders. The site contains how-to information for setting up and debugging home-office and small-business networks. Users can also find extensive troubleshooting information, tips on getting applications to work through firewalls, product reviews on network hardware and software, and more.

PracticallyNetworked.com Discussion Forums
If network connections, sharing computers, router problems or other networking issues are bogging you down, then the PracticallyNetworked.com discussion forum is the place to be. Here you'll find help and support for all your network-related problems.

Related Categories
Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Network Protocols

Related Terms
network interface card

OSI

protocol

TCP/IP

WDP

Winsock

Networking Hubs and Switches
protocol stack Products


Shop by Top Models:
D-link DGS-3100-24 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
16 store offers from $635 - $1420

D-link DGS-3100-48 48-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
16 store offers from $1124 - $1789

Linksys SGE2000 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
10 store offers from $647 - $1079

Linksys SFE2000P 24-Port Ethernet Switch
4 store offers from $565 - $962

Linksys SFE2000 24-Port Ethernet Switch
12 store offers from $268 - $450

IT ManagementNetworking & CommunicationsWeb DevelopmentHardware & SystemsSoftware Development
GlobeEarthweb Home
White Papers IT Jobs Events Research Premium Services Training & Certification Media Kit
Jupitermedia is publisher of the internet.com and EarthWeb.com networks.
Copyright 2004 Jupitermedia Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, & Permissions, Privacy Policy.
Advertise on EarthWeb
http://www.earthweb.com/
http://www.internet.com/