3.1 Common Details

Session Multiplex Protocol (SMP) is layered on top of a reliable, in-order, connection-oriented transport layer such as TCP [RFC793], named pipes [MSDN-NP], or Virtual Interface Architecture (VIA) [VIA].<2>

After the transport connection is established, SMP initiation is negotiated through other protocols, such as the Tabular Data Stream (TDS) protocol [MS-TDS]. SMP has to be successfully initiated on both end points before SMP operations can begin. The shutdown sequence can be triggered either by the higher layer or by fatal events internal to SMP. The peer is notified of the shutdown when the transport connection is closed.

SMP incorporates the concept of a client and a server interacting during session establishment. A session has to be initiated by the client (section 3.3.2.2). After SMP enters the SESSION ESTABLISHED state, both endpoints of the session can be used by the higher layer to send and receive data symmetrically, and therefore each can act as a sender and as a receiver. Either the client or the server can initiate connection termination by sending a FIN packet.