Network Protocols

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

Enables communication over the internet. The Internet Protocol is a communications protocol responsible for sending data across networks. It routes data using IP adresses. It works alongside TCP to make TCP/IP protocol stack. TCP does the error checking.

HTTP and HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

A client-server method of requesting and delivering HTML web pages. Used when the information on a web page is not sensitive or personal. HTTPS (secure) includes secure encryption to allow transactions to be made over the internet.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol

Used for the transfer of files between servers and clients

UDP

User Datagram Protocol

Enables communications over the internet.

Similiar to TCP, but because messages are sent instead of packets, it is often faster, allowing for gaming or video calls over the internet.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

Sends email to an email server.

IMAP

Internet Message Access Protocol

For retrieving emails. In IMAP, the email stays on the server, and you can download it as many times as you want. Any changes such as whether it has been read is shown on the server. You can access IMAP emails on any device.

POP

Post Office Protocol

For retrieiving emails from a server.

You can download the email from the server, and it is permanentley deleted off the server, meaning that you have the only copy. The email can not be accessed on any other device.

What is a protocol?

A set of rules which governs data transmission between devices.