Learning Center
MCP Tool Discovery: How It Works and 5 Tools to Know in 2026
What Is MCP Discovery? MCP Discovery refers to the process used to find, identify, and catalog MCP-enabled resources, tools, and services within an AI ecosystem that uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It’s the capability that lets an AI system or security team automatically locate all of the MCP servers, endpoints, APIs, and tool definitions […]
MCP vs Function Calling: 7 Key Differences and Using Them Together
Introducing Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Function Calling Function calling lets an LLM directly call predefined tools, while MCP (Model Context Protocol) standardizes how LLMs find, use, and manage many tools across different models and providers. MCP acts as a universal layer to decouple tools from the AI, making systems more modular, scalable, and easier […]
Understanding MCP Clients: The Basics and a Quick Tutorial
What Is a Model Context Protocol Client? An MCP Client is the client-side component of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that lets AI applications like large language models (LLMs) connect to external tools, data sources, and services in a consistent, secure way. An MCP client is typically embedded in an LLM-powered application […]
MCP Compliance: Model Context Protocol in Regulated Industries
What Are Key Compliance Considerations for Model Context Protocol (MCP)? Model context protocol (MCP) compliance refers to the efforts to ensure an MCP server operates in accordance with regulatory, security, and data governance requirements. MCP servers allow AI models to interact with external resources, such as internal databases, applications, and APIs, by providing them with […]
MCP Authentication: Step by Step Guide and Security Best Practices
How Does Model Context Protocol Handle Authorization and Authentication? Model context protocol (MCP) defines an authorization mechanism that enables clients to access restricted MCP servers on behalf of a resource owner. This mechanism operates at the transport layer and is for HTTP-based interactions. When implemented, MCP clients act as OAuth 2.1 clients, and protected MCP […]
MCP vs. A2A: Examples, Key Differences, and How to Choose
This is part of a series of articles about Model Context Protocol. Introducing MCP and A2A MCP (Model Context Protocol) and A2A (Agent-to-Agent Protocol) are both AI agent protocols that are considered complementary to each other. MCP focuses on an agent’s interaction with tools, while A2A focuses on collaboration between multiple agents. MCP allows an […]
Top 5 MCP Catalogs in 2026 and Using Them Effectively
This is part of a series of articles about Model Context Protocol. What Is an MCP Catalog? An MCP catalog is a directory of MCP servers that follow the model context protocol. It lists servers by function, capabilities, and supported operations, so a client can connect to them without manual setup. An MCP catalog usually […]
MCP Security: Top 6 Risks and AI Security Best Practices
This is part of a series of articles about Model Context Protocol. What Is MCP Security? The Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that allows AI agents to connect to and interact with external tools, databases, and services. MCP security involves managing risks like prompt injection and unauthorized access to credentials through its direct […]
Model Context Protocol: Principles, Use Cases, and Key Technologies
What Is Model Context Protocol (MCP)? Model Context Protocol (MCP) by Anthropic is an open specification proposed by Anthropic, which enables AI models, agents, and supporting infrastructure to share and manage context. MCP defines a set of message formats and APIs that formalize how context, which can include state, instructions, or data, is communicated between […]
9 Amazing Model Context Protocol Use Cases in 2026
This is part of a series of articles about Model Context Protocol. What Are Common Uses Cases of Model Context Protocol (MCP)? Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open interoperability standard for clear, structured communication between AI models, applications, and tools. It offers conventions and specifications for consistent management and exchange of contextual information across […]
MCP Architecture: Components, Lifecycle, and Client-Server Tutorial
What Is Model Context Protocol Architecture? The model context protocol (MCP) architecture defines a structured way to extend the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) beyond their training data. It introduces a standardized communication layer that allows LLMs to interact with external tools, systems, and data sources. MCP architecture enables dynamic and distributed integration of […]
Defining and Implementing MCP Tools: a Practical Guide
What Are Model Context Protocol (MCP) Tools? This is part of a series of articles about Model Context Protocol. MCP tools are functions exposed by a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allow AI models (like Large Language Models) to interact with external systems, perform actions, and access data. These tools enable AI agents to […]