Protocol2

Protocol2 is a transport-oriented communication protocol designed to provide reliable, low-latency data transfer over heterogeneous networks. It targets applications requiring strong security, flexible routing, and scalable multiplexing, and serves as an evolution of Protocol1 in environments where modern security and performance requirements exceed those of older protocols.

The protocol employs a layered design with a dedicated session layer on top of a generic transport, enabling multiple logical streams within a single connection. Connections are established via a mutual authentication handshake and negotiate cryptographic parameters to enable forward secrecy and encryption. Data is carried in compact frames with explicit sequence numbers, allowing reliable delivery through acknowledgments and optional retransmission. Protocol2 supports both reliable and best-effort delivery modes and implements dynamic congestion control to adapt to varying network conditions. Header overhead is minimized through efficient framing and optional header compression.

Compatibility and interoperability are addressed through a bridge mode that allows protocol2 gateways to interact with Protocol1 deployments. It also provides an upgrade path from existing Protocol1 networks via negotiated compatibility profiles and transitional configurations.

Implementations and usage: Several open-source implementations exist in C, Rust, and Go. Protocol2 has seen adoption in IoT, real-time streaming, and distributed services where secure, low-latency transport is required. Industry groups have conducted security audits and published best-practice guidelines to support deployment and operational reliability.

History: Protocol2 was proposed by a standards-working group within a standards organization in 2022–2024, with initial drafts and reference implementations released in 2023. Ongoing revisions address interoperability, tooling, and ecosystem integration.

See also: Protocol1, TLS, QUIC.