5. Session Layer
SSL and TLS is a tricky component, some sources say it fits in the presentation layer due to its encryption but it does play an important part with establishing secure sessions between endpoints.
| Protocol Name | Description | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| RPC (Remote Procedure Call) | A protocol that allows a program to execute a procedure (subroutine) on another address space (often on a remote machine). | Used in client-server models, allowing distributed applications to execute code remotely. |
| NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System) | A session layer protocol that provides communication services for applications in local area networks (LANs). | Primarily used in legacy Windows networking to support file sharing and printer services. |
| SMB (Server Message Block) | A protocol that facilitates file sharing, printer sharing, and network browsing between computers. | Widely used in Windows networks for file and printer sharing, also supported by Linux and macOS. |
| NFS (Network File System) | A protocol that allows access to files over a network as if they were local files. | Used for file sharing in UNIX/Linux systems, providing transparent access to remote files. |
| FTP (File Transfer Protocol) | A protocol for transferring files over a network. It uses a client-server model for file access, transfer, and management. | Commonly used for website management, downloading, and uploading files to servers. |
| Telnet | A protocol that provides a command-line interface for remote administration of devices over a network. | Used primarily for remote management of devices or servers, though rarely used today due to security concerns. |
| SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) | Protocols for establishing encrypted connections between networked applications, ensuring secure data transmission. | Used in HTTPS for secure web browsing, email encryption (SMTPS), and other secure communications. |
| H.323 | A protocol suite used for multimedia communications, such as voice, video, and data conferencing. | Commonly used for voice-over-IP (VoIP) applications and video conferencing systems. |
| XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) | A communication protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML. It supports real-time messaging, presence, and collaboration. | Widely used in instant messaging, VoIP, and presence systems, notably in Google Talk and Jabber. |
| SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) | A protocol used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating real-time sessions in VoIP, video conferencing, and instant messaging. | Common in VoIP services and video conferencing platforms like Skype, Zoom, and Webex. |
| MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) | A protocol used by Microsoft Outlook to send and receive emails, manage calendars, and other messaging features. | Primarily used in Microsoft Exchange Server environments for email and collaboration features. |
| RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) | A proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft for remote desktop access. | Used for remote administration and remote access to Windows-based systems. |
| L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) | A protocol used in VPNs that enables tunneling of data between two endpoints over the internet, often paired with IPsec for encryption. | Used for secure, private connections in VPN implementations. |
| BEEP (Blocks Extensible Exchange Protocol) | A framework for building application protocols, providing features like reliable delivery, security, and message framing. | Used for building custom communication protocols in secure, reliable messaging systems. |
These protocols manage and control the dialogues between computers, ensuring that data is exchanged without disruption, allowing for reliable communication during interactions between client-server or peer-to-peer systems.