What Is The Network Protocol? – Uses And More

Future Tech Expert - April 21, 2022

Table of Contents

Introduction

Network protocol is a set of directions for formatting and processing data. Network protocols are like a common language for computers. Computers on a network can use very different software and hardware; however, the use of protocols allows them to communicate independently of each other.

Standardized protocols are like a common language that computers can use, much like two people from different parts of the world may not understand each other’s native language but can communicate using a common third language. When one computer uses Internet Protocol (IP). And also, a second computer uses it, they can share, just as the United Nations relies on its six official languages to communicate between agents worldwide. However, if one computer is using IP and the other is not aware of this protocol, they will not be able to communicate.

There are different protocols on the Internet for different types of processes. Protocols are often discussed in terms of the OSI model layer to which they belong.

What Protocols Run On The Network Layer?

As described above, IP is a network layer protocol responsible for routing. But it is not the only network layer protocol.

IPsec:

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) configures authenticated IP connections over a virtual private network (VPN). From a technical point of view, IPsec is not a protocol but a set of protocols that include the Captured Security Protocol (ESP), Authentication Header (AH), and Security Associations (SA ).

Icmp :

Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) reports faults and offers status updates. For example, if a router fails to deliver a packet, it sends an ICMP message to the source of the packet.

Igmp:

Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) configures one-to-many network connections. IGMP helps configure multicast, which means that multiple computers can receive data packets directed to an IP address.

What Are Additional Protocols Used On The Internet?

Some of the essential protocols you should be aware of are:

Tcp :

As described above, TCP is a conveyance layer protocol that confirms reliable data delivery. TCP is planned for use with IP. And also, the two protocols are frequently referred to as TCP / IP together.

HTTP:

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the basis of the World Wide Web; the Internet most users interact with. It is use to transfer data among devices. HTTP goes to the application layer (layer 7) because it provides data in a format that applications (for example, a browser) can use directly without further interpretation. The minor layers of the OSI model are controll by a computer’s operating system, not by applications.

Https:

The difficulty with HTTP is that it is not encrypt; Any attacker who stops an HTTP message can read it. HTTPS (Secure HTTP) remedies this by encoding HTTP posts.

Tls / Ssl:

Transport Layer Safety (TLS) is the protocol use through HTTPS for encryption. TLS was previously called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

UDP:

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is quicker but less reliable than TCP at the conveyance layer. It is widely use in video streaming and games where fast data delivery is of the utmost importance.

What Protocols Do Routers Use?

Network routers use specific protocols to determine the most efficient network routes to other routers. These protocols are not use to transfer user data. Necessary network routing protocols are:

BGP

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is an application layer protocol that networks use to indicate the IP addresses they control. Based on this information, routers can decide which packet data networks must pass through to get to their destinations.

Eigrp:

The Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) identifies distances between routers. EIGRP automatically updates each router’s best route records (called a routing table) and sends these updates to other routers on the network.