Protocols in Computer Networks
A collection of guidelines known as network protocols is in charge of facilitating data exchange between different networked devices. These protocols guarantee effective and dependable data transmission by defining rules and standards for sending and receiving data.
It establishes the content, the manner, and the timing of the communication. It enables communication between linked devices regardless of structural and internal variations.
Types of Protocol in Computer Networks
Protocols in computer networks span a wide range of characteristics and goals, each having a specific purpose.
The following are the primary categories of network protocols:
- Communication Protocols
- Routing Protocol
- Security Protocols
- Management Protocols
1. Communication Protocols
Protocols for communication are crucial to a network's operation. They are so essential that computer networks cannot exist without them. The guidelines and formats for data transport are clearly outlined in these protocols. Syntax, semantics, error detection, synchronization, and authentication are all handled by these protocols.
Some network communication protocols are listed below:
a). HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
Web pages and the resources they are linked to are communicated using HTTP on the World Wide Web. Web servers receive HTTP inquiries from web browsers (clients) and respond with HTML documents, images, and other media. We call this procedure a request-response protocol.
b). HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
An HTTP extension called HTTPS (HTTP Secure) uses SSL/TLS encryption to increase security. It ensures that private information, financial transactions, and login passwords are all encrypted before being sent from a web browser to a web server.
c). FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
File Transfer Protocol is a client-server protocol that uses TCP/IP to move files between a client and a server. The command channel and the data channel are the two channels it employs for communication. Through the command channel, clients can request files, and through the data channel, they can download, edit, and copy the file, among other things.
d). SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
The most used email protocol, SMTP, is a component of the TCP/IP stack and regulates how users' emails are sent by email clients. Email messages are sent from the client to the email server to the receiving email server using SMTP. However, SMTP only regulates how email clients transmit messages; it has no influence over how clients receive them.
e). SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
A network management protocol called SNMP assists network administrators in controlling and keeping an eye on network equipment like firewalls, switches, routers, and printers. It collects device data to track the health and performance of the network. SNMP is frequently used by network managers to identify and resolve network problems.
2. Routing Protocol
Determining how data packets are transported across networks requires the use of routing protocols. In order to determine the most effective routes for data to travel, they assist routers in communicating with one another.
Generally, routing protocols fall into three types:
- Link-state
- Hybrid protocols
- Distance vectors
a). Link-State
Compared to other distance vector routing protocols, these protocols have the most knowledge about the Internetwork. The SPF (Shortest Path First) protocol is another name for these. One example of a link-state routing protocol is OSPF.
b). Hybrid Protocols
It is also referred to as a hybrid routing protocol since it combines the ideas of link-state and distance vector routing protocols. One example of this type of routing protocol is the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol.
Since EIGRP uses the Hello protocol concept for neighbor finding and adjacency formation, it functions as a link-state routing protocol. Additionally, once a change takes place, partial updates are initiated. Since it learned routes from neighbors who were directly linked, EIGRP functions as a distance-vector routing protocol.
c). Distance vector
In order to get to a destination network in a specific direction, these protocols choose the optimal route based on hop counts. One type of distance vector routing protocol is dynamic, such as RIP. The number of routers between the source and destination networks is known as the hop count. The best path will be the one with the fewest hops.
3. Security Protocols
The integrity and security of data transferred across network connections are guaranteed by network security protocols. The type of protected data and network connection determines which network security protocol is utilized. Every protocol outlines the methods and steps necessary to safeguard network data from malevolent or unauthorized attempts to view or steal information.
Generally, security protocols fall into Five types, such as
- SSL Protocol
- TLS Protocols
- SHTTP Protocol
- PEM Protocol
- PGP Protocol
a). SSL Protocol
Secure Sockets Layer Protocol, or SSL Protocol for short, is an encryption-based Internet security protocol that safeguards data integrity and secrecy. Data authenticity and privacy over the internet are protected by SSL. The application and transport layers are separated by SSL. SSL is the forerunner of the current TLS encryption since it initially had security issues and was swiftly superseded by the initial iteration of TLS.
b). TLS Protocol
Data security and privacy over the internet are commonly achieved through the use of Transport Layer Security, or TLS. The master secret, a key used for encryption between the protocol client and protocol server, is generated by TLS using a pseudo-random technique. In essence, TLS is used to encrypt communication between web servers, such as when a web browser loads a document from the internet server.
c). SHTTP Protocol
Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol, or SHTTP, is a set of security protocols that are used to protect internet communication. These protocols include creating strong passwords, configuring firewalls, using antivirus software, and more. Data entry forms, which are part of SHTTP, are used to enter previously gathered data into a database in addition to online transactions. The services offered by SHTTP and SSL are fairly similar.
d). PEM Protocol
The privacy-enhanced mail protocol, or PEM protocol, is used to secure emails sent over the internet. It can carry out cryptographic functions like message integrity, encryption, and nonrepudiation. The Privacy Enhanced Mail protocol is explained in four specific articles: RFC 1421, RFC 1422, RFC 1423, and RFC 1424.
e). PGP Protocol
Pretty Good Privacy, or PGP, is a free and easy-to-use protocol that includes source code documentation. It also satisfies the essential requirements of cryptography. The PGP protocol has become more widely used and popular than the PEM protocol. Cryptographic elements, including encryption, non-repudiation, and message integrity, are all part of the PGP protocol.
4. Management Protocol
In order to enable efficient network infrastructure monitoring, management, and repair, management protocols are established rules and practices that specify how network devices communicate. They offer a structure for network devices and management systems to communicate and exchange commands.
Generally, management protocols fall into Four types, such as
- SNMP
- ICMP
- DHCP
- TFTP
a). SNMP ( Simple Network Management Protocol )
A popular protocol for controlling network devices, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) enables configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
b). ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)
Ping and traceroute commands are examples of network diagnostics and troubleshooting tools that use the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).
c). DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Devices are automatically assigned IP addresses and other network configuration information via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
d). TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)
Trivial File Transfer Protocol, or TFTP: a straightforward file transfer protocol between servers.
