The link control protocol is part of PPP and verifies network connections before transmitting data. It has four tasks: verifying device identity, sizing packets, checking for configuration errors, and monitoring for security threats.
The link control protocol is a network system that determines whether a network connection is configured correctly for transmitting information. The link control protocol is part of the point-to-point protocol (PPP) which is the cornerstone of the modern network interface. Before any information travels from the local system to a remote one, the link control protocol determines if everything is okay for transmission. When the line is set up correctly, the information goes out. If there is a problem, the protocol will drop the connection.
When two network systems meet, they establish a PPP connection. This connection allows the different systems to communicate, regardless of the hardware and software used to transmit the information. Before any information actually passes through this connection, the link control protocol will determine if the connection is valid and if the remote end is transmitting correctly.
This system creates a commonly misunderstood situation. Many people believe that a PPP connection is not allowed until the link control protocol verifies the relationship. Actually, the link control protocol is part of the PPP connection. The PPP will set up the connection, and then the first thing that will go through it is the link control protocol.
The link control protocol has four main tasks. The first step when connecting to a new device is to verify that it is what it appears to be. Check all information from the remote source to verify that they match correctly. If one signal says it’s a modem and one says it’s a network router, the protocol will disconnect instead of associating with a bad or misleading device.
The protocol will find packets of suitable size to send to the remote system. Data is sent through network systems in small blocks called packets. These packets break large information into smaller pieces to prevent corruption and speed up transmission. By sizing packets in a way that is preferable to the remote system, the data is more likely to transfer successfully on the first transmission.
While querying the remote system, it also looks for system configuration errors. These errors can alter the method the local computer uses to transmit information, cause the link control protocol to go offline, or simply be logged in the information logs of the two systems. If two systems connect, any errors encountered are likely to be minor – larger errors prevent the connection altogether.
The last job of the protocol is to monitor the connection for pending changes. If the remote computer starts sending or requesting strange information, the link control protocol may drop the connection. This is a security measure to prevent hostile actions on your network connection.
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