In computer networking, the term upper layer protocol refers to a more abstract protocol when performing encapsulation, in particular it is often used to describe the protocols above the network layer.
In discussions of the Internet Protocol Suite, the term upper layer protocols usually refers to the protocols above the Internet Layer (e.g. Transmission Control Protocol, which is in the Transport Layer). In the internet protocol suite, IP is the lower layer protocol to UDP and TCP; likewise UDP and TCP are two upper layer protocols for IP.
The term contrasts with lower layer protocol which refers to a more specific protocol.
Famous quotes containing the words upper and/or layer:
“Surely you wouldn’t grudge the poor old man
Some humble way to save his self-respect.
He added, if you really care to know,
He meant to clear the upper pasture, too.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“The writer in me can look as far as an African-American woman and stop. Often that writer looks through the African-American woman. Race is a layer of being, but not a culmination.”
—Thylias Moss, African American poet. As quoted in the Wall Street Journal (May 12, 1994)