Data sharing protocols: structure, requirements and interrelationships

Computer networks provide the basic mechanism for accessing programs and data. Effective use of networks requires appropriate protocols to preserve the meaning of data being transmitted between heterogeneous systems. Currently existing protocols were developed to support the requirements of scientists and engineers. Information processing support, for example remote database access, requires substantially more sophisticated protocols. This paper describes a spectrum of data sharing protocols, identifies the need for a Structure Transport Protocol (STP), describes the nature of an STP, and discusses its utilization in the context of remote database access.