EA - IT Architecture V2 > Architecture Specification > Modeling IT Infrastructures > Describing communications in an IT Infrastructure > Describing technical communications
Describing technical communications
Communication ports 
Communication Ports are physical points of communication that can be defined in technical infrastructures and resource architectures.
*A communication port is a physical point of communication with a resource. It adheres to the specific communication protocol. A communication port implements service and requests points.
Communication Ports assure physical transfer of information exchanged on service points and request points.
Communication ports comply with specific "Communication Protocols". See Network communication protocols.
Network channels 
The network channels connect hardware resources between each other, to organizational resources or to communication ports.
*A network channel is a physical connector between resource elements. It supports service interactions defining communication protocols between physical resources It connects external resource elements through their Communication Ports.
Creating a network channel 
To create network channel:
1. In the object inserting bar of the resource assembly diagram, click Network channel .
2. Draw a link between the two communication entities.
The channel appears directly in the diagram.
To define the communication protocol associated with the channel:
1. Open the Supported Protocols property page and click Connect.
2. In the query window that appears, select the communication protocol that interests you and click Connect.
The protocol name appears alongside the channel.
Network communication protocols 
A Communication Protocol is supported by network channel.
*A communication protocol is a set of standardized rules for transmission of information (voice, data, images) on a communication channel. The different layers of protocols can handle the detection and processing of errors, authentication of correspondents, management of routing.
For example, an HTTPS protocol is based on an HTTP protocol for transport, those protocols are based on TCP, which is itself based on Ethernet.
A user may wish to build a customized layer of communication protocols and assign these to communication ports and communication channels.
*Communication protocols supported by a communication port must be compatible with the communication ports to which they are connected.