In
computer networking, a
reliable protocol provides
reliability properties with respect to the delivery of
data to the intended recipient(s), as opposed to an unreliable protocol, which does not provide notifications to the sender as to the delivery of transmitted data. The term "reliable" is a synonym for
assured, which is the term used by the
ITU and
ATM Forum in the context of the
ATM Service-Specific Coordination Function, for example for transparent assured delivery with
AAL5.