The NETCONF protocol architecture is defined by four layers: Content, Operations, Messages, and Transport. The Operations Layer defines a set of base protocol operations that are invoked as RPC methods. The operation, which allows a client to obtain an exclusive lock on a device's configuration datastore, is a standard function of this layer. Similarly, the operation, which applies the candidate configuration to the running configuration, is also a base operation defined within the Operations Layer. The Messages Layer is responsible for framing the RPCs and notifications, not for defining the actual operations themselves.
