Summary 📝

Protocols are sets of rules and conventions that govern communication between devices on a network. TCP/IP is a suite of protocols used for internet communication. HTTP is a protocol for web page retrieval, while HTTPS is its secure version. FTP allows file transfer, and POP/IMAP/SMTP are protocols for handling emails.

Key learning Points 📌

• A protocol is a set of rules that devices use to communicate over a network.
  
  

• Ethernet is the standard protocol for wired LANs; Wi‑Fi is the name for wireless LAN protocols.
  
  

• TCP/IP combines two protocols: TCP ensures data arrives without errors, IP routes data to the correct device across wide‑area networks. UDP is a faster but less reliable alternative, used when occasional data loss is acceptable (e.g. gaming).
  
  

• HTTP is used to request and receive web pages; HTTPS adds encryption to help protect sensitive data.
  
  

• FTP allows files to be sent or received between computers, often used for bulk or large transfers and supports resuming.
  
  

• SMTP is the protocol used to send emails between servers; IMAP is used to retrieve email to a device while keeping a copy on the server.