INTERNET PROTOCOLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Without networking, the internet as we know it wouldn’t work, and for networking to work as expected, there are network protocols that exist and whose function is to ensure compatibility and seamlessness as far as internet communication and connection are concerned.
Network protocols work in the background to facilitate the exchange of information across the internet. While they function and run in the background and require no active user interaction to tick, a basic understanding of what they are and their functions is of vital importance for networking professionals.
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
The Address Resolution Protocol translates IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to MAC (Media Access Control) addresses and vice versa so that nodes or devices on the Local Area Network can communicate with one another.
A MAC address is a string of characters, split into six pairs, that identifies a particular network device. Every network has a unique MAC address.
For communication to occur between two hardware devices over a network, a translator and a translation protocol have to be present.
The ARP table or cache in a device stores translated addresses whenever the device first communicates with another device, so address resolution is only needed the first time and will only be needed whenever a new device joins the network.
Domain Name Systems (DNS)
DNS is a naming system that translates domain names into IP addresses. It’s a database that includes a website’s domain name and its corresponding IP address.
While a network device would use an IP address such as 10.1.3.4 to call up a website, humans use domain names such as amazon.com for the same. The domain names are translated into IP addresses that the networking devices can work with, and this data is cached on the DNS server.
DNS is vital for providing quick information to users and enabling access to remote hosts and resources over the internet.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHCP assigns network addresses to devices on the network so they can communicate with each other. A new device joining a network with a DHCP server is promptly assigned an IP address, and this address is reassigned whenever the device moves around and across the network.
A process called a DHCP handshake takes place when a device connects to a network. The client sends out a DHCP discover message that is received by the DHCP server, which responds with a list of IP addresses. The client then requests an address from the server, which acknowledges the request, completing the handshake.
Internet Protocol (IP)
IP is the language network devices use to communicate, and it refers to a set of rules that govern the format of data sent over the network or internet.
When data is sent over the network, it is split into packets, which contain the addresses of the sender and recipient. The packet goes to a gateway, which, functioning like a conventional post office, forwards it in the appropriate direction, which might be another gateway, i.e., another post office. The packet travels down the line until it reaches its destination.
Since IP can divide the data into separate, distinct packets, the packets can be sent in a random order for faster transmission. For this reason, IP is paired with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) to form TCP/IP, and TCP works to arrange the packets in the correct order, eliminating errors.
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
Border Gateway Protocol is a set of rules that determine the best network routes for the transmission of data over the internet. It controls how packets pass through routers in an autonomous system, which refers to a collection of IP prefixes that are managed by a single organization or service provider.
Nodes on a LAN can be connected to one another or to nodes on different LANs over the internet, thanks to BGP.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
This is a client-server model where a client on a network requests a file, and the FTP server supplies it. It enables users to transfer files between devices on a network.
To communicate and exchange files, FTP requires a command channel and a data channel, respectively. Files are requested via the command channel, and other functions such as access to download, copy, and edit are received via the communication channel.
FTP has been largely eclipsed by HTTP for file sharing tasks, though in some cases, such as private file sharing, FTP is still in use.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
TCP works to arrange packets in the correct order for delivery. IP can send packets in random order and through different routes towards the destination; thus, TCP numbers the individual packets before they’re sent.
TCP also helps detect and eliminate errors in the sending process, including checking for missing packets using its numbered system, and if any are found to be missing, IP is required to retransmit them.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
UDP is an alternative to TCP and works with IP to enable low-latency, time-sensitive data transmissions between internet applications. It’s commonly employed in VoIP and audio-visual applications.
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UDP differs from TCP in that it doesn’t organize packets or wait for all packets to arrive but transmits them even if some are missing. This makes it faster than TCP but less reliable and prone to errors.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
HTTP is a popular and recognizable file sharing protocol that runs over TCP/IP like FTP, but unlike FTP, it works primarily over web browsers.
HTTP provides access to a user who enters a domain name on a web page by connecting to the domain’s server and requesting the website’s HTML.
An enhanced version of HTTP is simply HTTPS, with the S denoting “secure”. HTTPS encrypts a user’s HTTP requests and web pages, offering an added layer of security and privacy and thwarting common cyber security threats such as man-in-the-middle attacks.
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
OSPF works together with the Internet Protocol to ensure packets are sent to the destination. OSPF opens the quickest and shortest path first for packets being transmitted.
OSPF also updates routing tables, a set of rules that control where packets travel, and alerts routers to changes in the routing tables or network whenever such changes occur.
OSPF works similarly to RIP, the Routing Information Protocol, which directs traffic based on the number of hops it needs to take along a route. RIP sends updated routing tables every 30 seconds, whereas OSP only sends updates when necessary and only makes updates to the particle part of the table where the change occurred rather than the whole table. Thus, OSPF has largely replaced RIP in this regard, as it’s deemed to be more scalable and streamlined.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
SMTP is part of the TCP/IP suite, is the most popular email protocol, and controls how clients send email messages.
Email servers use SMTP to send email messages from the client to the receiving email server, though it doesn’t control how clients receive email messages. To ensure email messages are properly sent and received, SMTP works with protocols such as POP3 (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol).
Telnet
Telnet enables remote connectivity by establishing a connection between a remote device and a host machine, facilitating a remote session.
A remote user is prompted to log in at their end, and after being authenticated, Telnet grants them access to network resources and data on the host device.
Telnet isn’t as widely used in modern computing anymore.
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