MCP server

As explained in Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition

An MCP server is a component that exposes selected data sources, services, prompt templates, and executable tools through the Model Context Protocol.

An MCP server connects an AI system with selected data sources, services, prompt templates, and executable tools through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). MCP standardizes two-way connections between data sources and AI-powered tools, improving consistency and interoperability across integrations. section 8.14

An MCP server can expose:

• Data and services such as files, database records, logs, multimedia, and internal application programming interface outputs. section 8.14
• Prompt templates that guide a language model toward recurring tasks, such as analyzing application or system logs for irregularities. section 8.14
• Executable tools, such as filtering logs by time period, querying a monitoring platform, or selecting a program. section 8.14

Natural-language cloud-log queries

A Splunk MCP server can provide a tool for running Splunk queries. A cloud-security worker could then ask an MCP client and language model to investigate company logs instead of querying Splunk directly. section 8.14

Figure 8.10 An illustration of the interaction between MCP servers and clients

Use the interaction diagram to follow how an MCP client, server, data source, prompt, and tool fit together. section 8.14

MCP depends on services implementing servers for models to use. GUI-native agents offer a contrasting approach: they navigate existing interfaces through screen reading, clicking, and typing, without requiring each service to define an MCP server. section 8.15

How Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition covers it

How deep it goes

Defines exposed resources and gives concrete examples, but stops short of implementation details or protocol mechanics.

Examples

Uses Splunk queries, cloud-provider logs, log analysis prompts, and time-based log filtering as concrete examples.

What it assumes

Assumes familiarity with AI agents and language models while defining MCP, clients, servers, prompts, and tools in plain language.

What you can do after

Apply MCP through a client to query monitoring data and invoke tools using natural-language requests.

How it connects

Links AI agents, MCP clients, language models, APIs, prompt templates, executable tools, and graphical user interfaces.

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Related concepts

• mcp clientused by · An MCP client is a software component that connects a host application to an MCP server to discover and invoke capabilities exposed through the Model Context Protocol.
• MCP inspectorused by · MCP Inspector is a developer tool for connecting to Model Context Protocol servers to inspect, test, invoke, and diagnose their exposed capabilities.
• contractuses · An API contract is a specification of the operations, data, and behavioral expectations that govern interactions between software components.
• list_toolsimplements · list_tools is a Model Context Protocol operation that requests the tools exposed by a server, including their descriptions and input schemas when provided.
• MCPimplements · The Model Context Protocol is an open standard protocol that defines how AI applications connect with external tools, data sources, and other contextual resources.
• toolhas part · A tool is an instrument or software capability that enables a person or system to perform a task, obtain information, or interact with resources.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.