ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a diagnostic network protocol. It allows you to identify errors in the process of data transmission over the network. In other words, if any failure occurs at the time of information transmission, ICMP promptly switches on and sends an error message to the server. Among the parameters that are important for the protocol are the speed of information delivery and the probability of its delivery by the recipient.
The principle of operation
ICMP signals are generated automatically in the following cases:
- network equipment is unable to redirect the flow to a more convenient route;
- unable to work at the required speed;
- the packets do not reach the receiving point.
The formation of ICMP messages is based on 3 basic principles:
- the message is sent immediately if a corrupted IP packet is detected;
- if the generated ICMP packet is lost during transmission, no new one is generated;
- ICMP is not used for mass mailings in order to avoid overloading network traffic.
It is important to understand that the protocol does not eliminate errors, but only signals their presence at the time of sending the message.