An Argument for Soft Layering of Protocols

Abstract

This thesis is about the efficiency of protocol layering. It examines the technique of protocol layering in an abstract way and finds two major sources of inefficiency in protocol implementations which are caused by the imposition on them of a layered structure. The conventional approach to making layered protocol implementations run efficiently--- for avoiding the sources of inefficiency discussed herein --- are all independent of the protocol specification, and thus all decrease the value of the protocol specification as a guide for implementing protocols.