Basic Network Protocols: A Short Guide

There are a number of protocols that you need to know if you want to have a basic understanding of network and application environments. We talk about the basic networking protocols and the more advanced protocols and what they are for.

Basic network protocols

If you are interested in computer security or want to get into the world of telecoms networking, you need to have a clear understanding of the basics of the basic protocols that exist today. In turn, this will make it much easier for you to understand how different types of communication are established on local area networks as well as on the Internet.

Network protocols are a set of rules that govern the exchange of data between devices connected to a network. These rules consist of instructions that allow devices to identify and connect to each other, as well as formatting rules so that messages are correctly passed from end to end. These formatting rules determine whether data is received correctly, rejected, or if there is some problem in the transmission of information.

When data is exchanged between computers connected to the same network, the data is broken into smaller packets, usually 1500 bytes long, as this is the typical MTU (Maximum Transfer Unit) used in networks. However, professional LANs use an MTU of 9000 bytes or more, known as Jumbo Frames, to maximise the optimisation of data transmission as fewer headers are transmitted, which are also of a certain size. Of course, once the data has been broken down into smaller packets, when it reaches the recipient, it must be reassembled and then transmitted to the application layer.

OSI Model

OSI is an open systems interconnection model. This conceptual model was created by the International Organisation for Standardisation (OSI) and allows different systems to communicate using some standardised protocols. Thus, it is the basis for communication between different systems. It can be understood as a universal language that consists of segmenting the communication system into different layers. In particular, seven layers which are abstract and are represented as vertical stacks. Each of these layers has a different function and in turn interacts with other layers. Both with the lower layers and with the upper layers. OSI has seven layers. They trace the chain from the moment we, the users, enter information into the computer to the time it reaches its destination. These layers are as follows:

• Application level;
• Presentation level;
• Session level;
• Transport level;
• Network level;
• Channel level;
• Physical level.

How do network protocols get standardised?

Standardising a network protocol is an important process to ensure that different network devices communicate effectively with each other. This is to avoid conflicts and ensure compatibility between different network devices. The network protocol standardisation process usually starts with a recognised standards organisation such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) or the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO). These organisations establish committees and working groups to develop and revise existing network standards or create new standards.

Committees and working groups are usually composed of experts representing a variety of interests and viewpoints, including hardware manufacturers, software vendors, end-users, and other networking stakeholders. Members of these committees and working groups work together to define the technical details of the network protocol, such as data structure, types of messages to be sent, and security requirements. Once the technical details are defined, the network protocol goes through a public review and comment process to solicit comments and suggestions from the user and network development community. Modifications and adjustments are made as needed based on the comments received.

Conclusion

Finally, the network protocol is published as a standard and made available for use by network hardware and software manufacturers. Network devices that conform to the established standards can communicate with each other effectively and frictionlessly. In conclusion, network protocol standardisation is a process that involves various networking professionals and stakeholders.