Standards
Standards allow devices to interact with each other.
A network standard specifies how devices communicate across a network.
It does not matter which company makes the device (Dell, Acer, Sony), or even the type of device (PC, Mac, smartphone), standards allow them to interact on the same network.
Networking standards include:
- Cabling type (e.g. CAT6, fibre optic)
- Ethernet
- Connectivity
- Data formatting
- Speed
Protocols
A protocol is a set of rules which cover how devices communicate and how data is organised when transmitting across a network.
Networking Protocols
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
Breaks data into small chunks, called packets, and checks they all arrive correctly.
IP (Internet Protocol)
Gives each packet the correct address and makes sure it travels to the right destination.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
TCP and IP working together to provide reliable transmission across the Internet
Web Page and File Transfer Protocols
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
Transfers web pages from a web server to your web browser.
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
A secure (encrypted) version of HTTP.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol Secure)
Used to upload and download files between computers over a network.
Email Protocols
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
Used to send emails from your device to a mail server and between mail servers.
POP (Post Office Protocol)
Downloads emails from the mail server to your device, often removing them from the server. Most email systems now use IMAP.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
Lets you read and manage emails while they stay on the mail server, keeping all your devices in sync.