ISO 18440:2016定义了SLE用户和SLE提供商系统之间传输SLE PDU的协议，包括: a） 用于建立和释放协会的程序； b） 在已建立的协会上交换的信息； c） 用于监控数据通信连接状态的程序；和 d） 用于确保数据在不同平台上的不同格式和表示之间转换的方法。 它没有具体说明: a） 个人设计、实施或产品； b） 数据通信基础设施的配置，包括TCP和IP协议的配置； c） 协议、分配和通信地址（IP地址和TCP端口号）的方式。

ISO 18440:2016 defines a protocol for transfer of SLE PDUs between an SLE user and an SLE provider system in terms of: a) the procedures used to establish and release associations; b) the messages exchanged on an established association; c) the procedures used to monitor the status of data communication connections; and d) the methods used to ensure that data are converted between different formats and representations on different platforms. It does not specify: a) individual designs, implementations, or products; b) the configuration of the data communications infrastructure, including configuration of the TCP and IP protocols; c) the means by which addresses (IP addresses and TCP port numbers) are agreed, assigned and communicated.