What Are Protocols?
A protocol is a set of rules that helps computers and devices communicate with each other over the
internet. It’s like how people follow certain rules when talking to each other in a language—so everyone
understands what’s being said.
Without protocols, devices wouldn’t be able to understand each other or send the right information. So,
protocols tell the devices how to send data and how to receive it.
2. Important Internet Protocols
Here are some of the most important protocols that make the internet work:
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol):
TCP breaks the information into small parts called “packets” and ensures that each packet arrives safely
and in the right order.
IP makes sure the packets go to the correct destination address (like the right house on a street).
TCP/IP is the core protocol that powers the internet.
HTTP/HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol/Secure):
HTTP is used for accessing websites. When you visit a webpage, your browser uses HTTP to ask the
server for the information.
HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. It encrypts the information between your computer and the
website, keeping it safe from hackers.
DNS (Domain Name System):
DNS translates website names (like google.com) into numerical addresses (like 172.217.0.46) so that
your computer can find and connect to them.
It’s like how you know someone’s phone number by their name.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol):
FTP helps transfer files between computers. For example, if you want to upload pictures to a website,
FTP would be used.
SMTP, POP3, and IMAP (for Email):
SMTP is used to send emails.
POP3 and IMAP are used to receive and manage emails, with IMAP being more advanced because it
allows you to keep your emails on the server instead of downloading them all to your device.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol):
VoIP is used for making voice or video calls over the internet, like using Skype or Zoom.
What Are Standards?
A standard is like a guideline or rulebook that everyone agrees on, so things work smoothly. Without
standards, different devices or apps might not be able to work together.
Standards are created by special organizations, like the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and the
W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), which make sure that everything works the same way across the
internet.
2. Common Internet Standards
Here are some examples of internet standards that make the web work:
IP Addressing Standards (IPv4 and IPv6):
Every device on the internet needs a unique address so other devices know how to reach it.
IPv4 is an older system that uses a 32-bit number (like 192.168.1.1) for each address.
IPv6 is the newer system that uses 128-bit numbers (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334) to handle
the increasing number of devices connecting to the internet.
Wi-Fi Standards (IEEE 802.11):
Wi-Fi standards make sure that wireless devices (like your phone or laptop) can connect to the internet
reliably.
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest standard, offering faster speeds and better connections.
SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security):
SSL/TLS is used to encrypt (or scramble) the data between your computer and a website, ensuring that
no one can read it while it’s being transferred.
This is why you see https:// in website addresses—it means the site is secure.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language):
HTML is the language used to create webpages. It’s a set of instructions that tells a browser how to
display text, images, links, and other content on the page.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):
CSS is used alongside HTML to style webpages. It controls how things look, like the colors, fonts, and
layout of a page.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions):
MIME is a standard that allows emails to include things like images, videos, and other file types, not just
text.
Why Are Protocols and Standards Important?
Protocols and standards are very important because they:
Allow Devices to Work Together: They make sure devices, apps, and services from different companies
can connect and share information smoothly.
Keep Information Safe: Standards like HTTPS and SSL/TLS protect your data from being intercepted or
hacked.
Ensure the Internet Keeps Growing: With standards like IPv6, more devices can be added to the internet
without running out of space.
Make Everything Work Efficiently: With agreed-upon standards, the internet runs faster, more reliably,
and with fewer errors.
