What Is a Network Protocol?

Network Protocol A is a fixed set of rules that define how data is transferred between different devices in the same network. Essentially, it allows connected devices to communicate with each other, regardless of any differences in their internal operations, structure, or design. Network protocols are the reason why you can easily communicate with people all over the world and thus play an important role in modern digital communications.

Similar to the way speaking an equivalent language simplifies communication between two people, network protocols allow devices to interact with one another thanks to predefined rules built into the hardware and software programs. Neither LAN nor Wide Area Networks (WAN) can function the way they do today without using network protocols.

How Network Protocols Work

Network protocols take large-scale operations and divide them into small and specific tasks or jobs. This occurs at every level of the network, and each job must collaborate at each level to complete the larger task at hand. The term set of protocols refers to a group of smaller network protocols that operate in conjunction with one another.

Network protocols are usually established by industry standards by various network or IT organizations.

The following groups have defined and deployed different network protocols:
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

While network protocol models generally operate in similar ways, each protocol is unique and operates in the specific manner detailed by the organization that created it.

Who Uses Network Protocols?

Network protocols are not relevant only to Certified Network Professionals or IT professionals. Billions of people use network protocols every day, whether they know it or not.
Every time you use the Internet, you are taking advantage of network protocols. Although you may not know how network protocols work or how often you encounter them, they are essential to using the Internet or digital communications in any capacity.

List of Network Protocols

There are thousands of different network protocols, but they all perform one of three basic actions:

Communication
Network management
Security

Each is necessary to use network devices quickly and safely, and they work together to facilitate this use.

Communication

Communication protocols allow different network devices to speak with one another . They are used in both analog and digital communications and can be used in important operations, from transferring files between devices to accessing the Internet.

Common types of communication protocols include:

• Automation: These protocols are wont to automate various processes in both commercial and private settings, like smart buildings, cloud technology, or autonomous vehicles.
• Instant messaging: Instant text communication occurs on smartphones and computers due to a number of different IM network protocols.
• Routing: Routing protocols allow communication between routers and other network devices. There are also routing protocols for ad hoc networks.
• Bluetooth: Popular Bluetooth devices — including headsets, smartphones, and computers — operate due to a variety of different Bluetooth protocols.
• File transfer: If you have ever transferred files from one device to another, either over a physical or digital medium, you have used File Transfer Protocols (FTP).
• Internet Protocol: Internet Protocol (IP) allows data to be sent between devices over the Internet. The internet cannot function as it currently does without IP.

Network Management

Network management protocols define and describe the various procedures required for the effective operation of a computer network. These protocols affect the different devices on a single network — including computers, routers, and servers — to ensure that each and the network as a whole perform optimally.

Network management protocols functions include:

• Connection: These protocols establish and maintain stable connections between different devices on an equivalent network.
• Link aggregation: Link aggregation protocols allow you to combine multiple network connections into a link between two devices. This works to increase the strength of the connection and helps maintain the connection in the event that one of the links fails.
• Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting protocols allow network administrators to identify errors affecting the network, assess the quality of the network connection, and determine how administrators can fix any problems.

Security

Security protocols, also called encryption protocols, ensure that the network and the data sent over it are protected from unauthorized users.

Common functions of safety net protocols include:

• Encryption: Encryption protocols protect secure data and areas by requiring users to enter a secret key or password to access that information.
• Entity Authentication: Entity authentication protocols create a system that requires different devices or users on the network to verify their identity before reaching secure areas.
• Transportation: Transport security protocols protect data as it is in transit from one network device to another.

Network protocols do not simply define how devices and processes work; They define how devices and processes work together. Without these predefined agreements and rules, the Internet will lack the necessary infrastructure it needs to be functional and usable. Network protocols are the basis of modern communications without which the digital world cannot stand.