Sign in Subscribe

AM (Acknowledge Mode)

Last updated on 

Introduction:

In computer networking, communication between two devices can be done in various ways, and one of the essential elements of communication is acknowledgement. Acknowledgement refers to the message that one device sends to the other to confirm that a message has been received. This message is sent as a response to the original message sent by the sender, and it includes information about whether the message was received correctly or not.

There are different modes of acknowledgement used in networking, and one of them is the Acknowledge Mode (AM). AM is a type of acknowledgement protocol used in computer networks to confirm that a message has been successfully delivered to the destination device. In this article, we will discuss the AM in detail, including its features, functions, advantages, and disadvantages.

What is Acknowledge Mode?

AM is a type of acknowledgement protocol used in networking to confirm that a message has been successfully delivered to the destination device. In this protocol, the destination device sends a message to the sender confirming that it has received the message. This message is known as an "acknowledgement," and it includes information about whether the message was received correctly or not.

AM is commonly used in transmission control protocol (TCP), which is a protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. In TCP, the sender divides the data into small packets and sends them to the destination device. After receiving each packet, the destination device sends an acknowledgement to the sender to confirm that the packet has been received successfully. If the sender does not receive an acknowledgement within a certain time, it assumes that the packet has been lost, and it retransmits the packet.

Features of Acknowledge Mode:

AM has several features that make it useful in networking. These features include:

  1. Reliability: AM ensures reliable communication between the sender and the destination device. The sender can be sure that the message has been received by the destination device.
  2. Error detection: AM can detect errors in transmission. If the message is not received correctly, the destination device can send an acknowledgement indicating that there was an error.
  3. Flow control: AM provides flow control by allowing the sender to know when it can send the next message. The sender waits for the acknowledgement before sending the next message.
  4. Congestion control: AM can help to prevent network congestion by slowing down the transmission of messages when there is a lot of traffic on the network.
  5. Retransmission: AM allows the sender to retransmit the message if it does not receive an acknowledgement within a certain time.

Functions of Acknowledge Mode:

The primary function of AM is to confirm that a message has been successfully delivered to the destination device. However, AM also performs other functions, including:

  1. Monitoring: AM monitors the transmission of data to ensure that it is delivered correctly.
  2. Error detection: AM detects errors in transmission and notifies the sender.
  3. Flow control: AM manages the flow of data between the sender and the destination device.
  4. Congestion control: AM helps to prevent network congestion by slowing down the transmission of data when there is a lot of traffic on the network.

Advantages of Acknowledge Mode:

AM has several advantages that make it useful in networking. These advantages include:

  1. Reliability: AM ensures reliable communication between the sender and the destination device.
  2. Error detection: AM can detect errors in transmission, allowing the sender to retransmit the message if it is not received correctly.
  3. Flow control: AM provides flow control, allowing the sender to know when it can send the next message.
  4. Congestion control: AM helps to prevent network congestion by slowing down the transmission of data when there is a lot of traffic on the network.
  5. Simple implementation: AM is easy to implement in networking, making it a popular protocol for communication between devices.

Disadvantages of Acknowledge Mode:

Despite its advantages, AM also has some disadvantages, including:

  1. Overhead: AM adds overhead to the communication between devices, which can slow down the transmission of data.
  2. Delay: AM can introduce delays in the transmission of data, as the sender must wait for the acknowledgement before sending the next message.
  3. Complexity: AM can be more complex to implement than other acknowledgement protocols, which can make it more difficult to use in some situations.
  4. Resource-intensive: AM can be resource-intensive, as it requires both the sender and the destination device to process and manage acknowledgements.

Conclusion:

AM is an important acknowledgement protocol used in computer networking to confirm that a message has been successfully delivered to the destination device. It provides reliable communication, error detection, flow control, and congestion control, making it a useful protocol for transmitting data over the internet.

Despite its advantages, AM also has some disadvantages, including overhead, delay, complexity, and resource-intensiveness. As such, it is important to consider the specific needs of a communication system when selecting an acknowledgement protocol, and to choose the protocol that best meets those needs.