What are protocols?

What is a protocol? Let's start with the dictionary definition.

1A. The forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state

1B. a code of correct conduct

2. The first copy of a treaty or other such document before its ratification.

3. a preliminary draft or record of a transaction

4. the plan for a course of medical treatment or for a scientific experiment

5. a standard procedure for regulating data transmisstion between computers

For this badge requirement I used the Junior Cybersecurity Basics Badge Activity.

Q1: Why do you think protocols are important in computers?

A1: They are important because if the computers don't follow the same protocols, they won't be able to communicate.

Q2: Where else do you see protocols in everyday life?

A2: These are protocols that I use: grammar and adressing an envelope.

Q3: When else might protocols be useful?

A3: Protocols would be useful when:

• raising your hand in class
• following a recipe
• sewing (with measurements)
• filling out a form

This is my example protocol for ordering a sandwich with a code. The requester (the person requesting the sandwich) sends 3 numbers to the responder. The responder (the person making the sandwich) uses those three numbers to make a sandwich using the chart. It is important that the requester and the responder both use the same code so that the requester will get the correct sandwich back.

request protocol: [bread number], [spread number], [filling number]

response protocol: sandwich

Instructions: To fill out the request protocol, pick 3 numbers from 1 to 6. To fill out the response protocol, map the numbers onto the chart (below) and return a sandwich (or a picture of a sandwich) using that bread, that spread, and that filling.

For example, let's say that the request protocol was 5, 1, and 3. The response protocol would be a pickle and mustard sandwich on white bread.

Die Number	Bread	Spread	Filling
1	white bread	butter	corned beef
2	wheat bread	peanut butter	lettuce
3	whole grain bread	jelly	pickles
4	bagel halves	mayonaise	cheese
5	gluten-free bread	mustard	chicken salad
6	toast	bbq sauce	apple slices