What type of protocol is characterized by its requirement for connection establishment before data transfer?

The correct response highlights the essential nature of a connection-oriented protocol. This type of protocol mandates the establishment of a connection between two endpoints before any data transfer can occur, ensuring that both parties are ready to communicate.

This connection setup typically involves a handshake process, where both ends agree on parameters such as the type of data being sent, the sequence of data packets, and error handling techniques. This preparation creates a dedicated communication path and allows for the management of data packets, ensuring that they are delivered in the correct order and without loss.

Connection-oriented protocols are often used in scenarios where reliability and data integrity are paramount, such as in TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), making them ideal for applications like file transfers and streaming services where data must arrive intact and in the proper sequence.