The core architecture of the MCP protocol consists of the following key components:
1. Message Layer
- Defines the communication format between client and server
- Uses JSON-RPC 2.0 as the base protocol
- Supports message types such as requests, responses, and notifications
- Ensures reliable transmission and parsing of messages
2. Tool Registration
- Server registers available tools to the client
- Each tool includes metadata such as name, description, and parameter definitions
- Supports dynamic addition and removal of tools
- Tool descriptions help LLMs understand how to use them
3. Resource Discovery
- Client can discover all resources provided by the server
- Resources can be files, data, API endpoints, etc.
- Supports resource classification and filtering
- Provides resource metadata information
4. Execution Engine
- Processes tool invocation requests from the LLM
- Executes corresponding operations and returns results
- Handles errors and exceptions
- Manages execution context and state
5. Context Management
- Maintains context information for conversations and operations
- Supports context passing and sharing
- Manages session state
- Provides context-aware capabilities
6. Security Layer
- Implements authentication and authorization mechanisms
- Supports encrypted communication
- Manages access permissions
- Prevents unauthorized access
These components work together to enable MCP to provide a standardized platform for secure, efficient, and scalable interaction between LLMs and external systems.