Internet Protocols (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Protocols
What is a protocol?
A protocol is a set of rules that govern communication on a network
There are protocols for different purposes, some of them include:
HTTP & HTTPS
FTP
SSL & TLS
VoIP
SMTP
HTTP & HTTPS
What is HTTP & HTTPS?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) allows communication between clients and servers for website viewing
HTTP allows clients to receive data from the sever (fetching a webpage) and send data to the server (submitting a form, uploading a file)
HTTPS works in the same way as HTTP but with an added layer of security. All data sent and received using HTTPS is encrypted
HTTPS is used to protect sensitive information such as passwords, financial information and personal data
FTP
What is FTP?
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows sending and receiving files between computers
Uploading and downloading files to/from a web server is often completed using FTP
FTP offers greater efficiency and support for bulk transfers and large files such as resuming interrupted transfers
FTP clients are software applications that use the FTP protocol to make the process easier for users
SSL & TLS
What is SSL & TLS?
Secure socket layer (SSL) is a security protocol developed to provide secure communication over the internet
TLS is a successor to SSL and is also a security protocol used to provide secure communication over the internet
They both use a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption to secure data and ensure data integrity
SSL operates by encrypting a user's data using a public key
This is done by sending a digital certificate to the user’s browser
This contains the public key which can be used for authentication
Where is SSL used?
SSL is used in a variety of situations where a secure connection is required, some examples of this include:
Online banking
Online shopping
Using cloud storage
Messaging
Social networking websites
Intranets/extranets
Worked Example
Protocols are associated with the internet and an intranet.
Identify three protocols and for each one, identify a use. [6]
Answers
Matched pairs:
HTTP/HyperText Transfer Protocol
Transfer data between a webserver and the browser//display/loads pages//connect to a webpage [1]
HTTPS/ HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure variant
One from:
Transfer data between a webserver and the browser securely [1]
Display/loads secure pages [1]
Connect to a secure webpage [1]
Secure variant of HTTP [1]
FTP/File Transfer Protocol
Transfers files between computers/website [1]
SSL/TLS
Determines variables of the encryption for both the link and the data being transmitted [1]
You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week
Sign up now. It’s free!
Did this page help you?
