In this post, we are investigating our daily use of the main protocols used when accessing the Internet while using our smartphone, laptop or desktop computer, tablet, smartTV or game console.
Protocols are an essential concept to enable network communications and data transfer between different devices. A protocol defines the rules to be followed by both devices to be able to communicate with one another.
On the Internet, most communications use the TCP/IP range of protocols which relies on packet switching and the use of IP addresses to uniquely identify devices on the network.
Protocols can also be grouped into layers: The TCP Stack consists of 4 key layers:
- The application layer which regroups the following protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, etc.
- The transport layer which consists mainly of the TCP and UDP protocols
- The internet layer which consists mainly of the IP Protocols (e.g. IPv4, IPv6)
- The link layer (a.k.a. physical layer) which regroups various protocols used to transfer data over a cable (e.g. Ethernet protocol) or wirelessly (e.g. WiFi, 3G/4G/5G) protocols.
Your Task
Answer the following 10 questions to evaluate your daily use of networking protocols:
Daily ProtocolometerOpen in New Window
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