What does the OpenTelemetry Protocol (OTLP) specification define?

The OpenTelemetry Protocol (OTLP) specification focuses on the encoding, transport, and delivery of telemetry data. This protocol is designed to facilitate the seamless transmission of observability data, including traces, metrics, and logs, across various systems and platforms. By defining how telemetry data should be structured, processed, and communicated, OTLP ensures interoperability among different observability tools and services. This consistency is crucial for effectively collecting and analyzing data gathered from applications and infrastructure for monitoring purposes.

The specification plays a pivotal role in ensuring that telemetry data can be easily shared and understood across different environments, making it essential for organizations looking to implement observability practices. In contrast, the other provided choices do not accurately reflect the purpose of OTLP; for instance, it does not define storage requirements, user interfaces, or specific performance metrics.