In today’s digital age, the internet is an indispensable part of our daily lives. From sending emails and browsing websites to playing online games and using countless other applications, the internet powers much of what we do. But how does it all work? How can a mobile device and a computer display the same website or email? Let’s explore the underlying mechanisms that make this possible.
The Internet consists of many interconnected network to share data on a global scale.
and a network is consist of two or more devices linked by a wired or wireless connection in order to share data. the data could be anything such as a video file or a software application and the protocol makes the communication possible.
A protocol is a predefined set of rules and standards that ensure effective communication between two or more parties by defining how data is transmitted, received, and interpreted.
Just like the languages we use for communication, protocols serve as a way to express and interpret information between systems. According to the Ethnologue guide, there are 7,139 officially recognized languages spoken across 195 countries.
the sole purpose of a language is enabling us to express thoughts and feelings. If I know English, I can understand what someone is saying in English; otherwise, I would need to learn the language to comprehend it.
Similarly, protocols function as a language that systems use to communicate, where only the designated target, equipped with the correct protocol, can understand the transmitted data
There are many protocols available, each designed for a different purpose. We regularly use some common protocols, such as HTTP/HTTPS for web browsing, VoIP protocols like SIP for voice calls, and SMTP and IMAP/POP3 for email-related tasks, among others.
Let’s begin with an example involving web technology, as it is one of the most prevalent and widely utilized technologies in our daily lives.
Web browsers typically use the HTTP protocol to access websites, but for enhanced security, HTTPS is employed. While both appear similar on the surface, the key distinction lies in their data transmission; HTTPS encrypts the data, safeguarding it during transit, whereas HTTP transmits data in plain text, leaving it vulnerable to interception
let’s assume you’re visiting example.com and see what happended behind the scene
When you type www.example.com into your browser's address bar and hit Enter, your browser first resolves the domain name to an IP address and establishes a connection to the server. Then, your user agent sends an HTTP request to the server, which might look something like this:
And the server sends a response which is looks like this:
and the rendered view which is :
now if you know HTML you may notice there are some html code after
“content-length: 648” on the response. Just like an envelope the protocol has 2 parts and divided by a blank line.
The header of a protocol is like the address and details on an envelope — it’s the metadata that gives crucial information about the data. The body, meanwhile, is like the letter inside, which in this case, is the HTML code that gets rendered in the browser, allowing us to see the webpage visually rather than as plain text.
Note: The example uses the HTML protocol, but each protocol has its own characteristics. We’ll explore and learn about other protocols in the upcoming article.
To truly understand how the internet works or to gain a solid foundation in any technology, mastering the concept of protocols is essential. Protocols are the rules that govern how data is transmitted and received, making them the backbone of all digital communication. By grasping these fundamental principles, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital world with confidence. Once you have a clear understanding of protocols, you’ll be ready to explore further without encountering unnecessary obstacles.
Protocols work behind the scenes, ensuring that data is transmitted efficiently and securely across the internet, allowing us to browse websites, make calls, and send emails without needing to understand the complex processes involved.
There is another term called ‘port.’ The term ‘ports’ can refer to both physical and virtual (or network) ports. In the context of computer networks, virtual ports are used to identify specific services or applications running on a device. There are 65,536 possible ports (numbered from 0 to 65,535), and each port, in combination with an IP address, helps direct network traffic to the appropriate application. Two different applications on the same device cannot use the same port simultaneously, but the same port number can be used by different devices without conflict
In summary, mastering protocols is more than just a foundational step — it’s essential for truly understanding the intricacies of the internet and technology. With a strong grasp of these concepts, you’re ready to explore the digital world with confidence. While this overview touches on the basics, we’ll dive deeper into various protocols in upcoming discussions, preparing you for more advanced topics.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback or leave a review to help shape our future explorations. Stay tuned for more insights as we continue this exciting journey together!
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