In data communications, protocols must possess four key characteristics in order for communications to successfully and effectively occur. What are these four key characteristics?

What will be an ideal response?

1. First, an agreement, or protocol, must specify how the data are to be packaged, or formatted, so that they can be sent between sending and receiving devices.
2. The ability of the communicating devices to understand the formatting protocols being used.
3. A third characteristic that data communication protocols should address is the speed of the communication
4. When two devices need to communicate, one of the devices may not be available for a variety of reasons: hardware failure, a downed communication link, system repair, or software upgrading.