|  | 13.1 | The Session Layer
| 13.1.4 | Dialogue separation

Dialogue separation is the orderly initiation, termination, and managing of communication. The main graphic illustrates a minor synchronization. At the "Time Axis, t = checkpoint", the host A session layer sends a synchronization message to host B, at which time both hosts perform the following routine:

1. back up the particular files
2. save the network settings
3. save the clock settings
4. make note of the end point in the conversation

A major synchronization would involve more back-and-forth steps and conversation than is shown in this diagram.

Checkpointing is similar to the way a word processor on a stand-alone computer pauses for a second when it performs an AutoSave of the current document. However, these checkpoints are used, instead, to separate parts of a session previously referred to as dialogues.