What are the key components of a network protocol stack and how do they interact with each other?

Key Components of a Network Protocol Stack

A network protocol stack is a set of networking protocols that work together to enable communication over a network. The key components of a network protocol stack include:

1. Physical Layer: This layer deals with the physical connection between devices, including cables, switches, and network interface cards.
2. Data Link Layer: The data link layer is responsible for error detection and correction, as well as managing the flow of data between devices.
3. Network Layer: This layer handles routing and addressing, ensuring that data packets are sent to the correct destination.
4. Transport Layer: The transport layer is responsible for end-to-end communication and ensures that data is delivered reliably and in the correct order.
5. Session Layer: This layer establishes, manages, and terminates communication sessions between devices.
6. Presentation Layer: The presentation layer is responsible for data formatting, encryption, and decryption to ensure that data is transmitted in a readable format.
7. Application Layer: The application layer contains protocols that allow applications to communicate with each other over the network.

These layers interact with each other by passing data down the protocol stack during the sending process and passing data up the protocol stack during the receiving process. Each layer performs specific functions and adds its own header information to the data packet before passing it on to the next layer.