Objectives

• Describe the uses of communications protocols

including:
• HTTP
• HTTPS
• FTP
• POP
• IMAP
• SMTP
• TCP/IP
• Explain the concept of layers in the TCP/IP
protocol stack
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Starter
• What are the rules around meeting
people for the first time
• What does each person do or say?
• What can go wrong if people are
using different rules?
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Protocols
• The set of rules is called a protocol
• What is the ‘meet and greet’ protocol
for meeting someone new?
• Smile
• Say hello
• Does this work in all countries?

• Eskimos rub noses

• Japanese bow
• Tibetans stick their tongues out!
• Shaking hands with your left hand can
be considered rude in many countries
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

HTTP and HTTPS protocol

• HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) is used for
accessing and receiving web pages via the Internet
• These are written in HTML (Hypertext mark-up language)

• The protocol requests a web page from the

web server
• The server then sends its response which contains the
web page
• HTTPS (secure HTTP) encrypts the information so
that it cannot be understood by an eavesdropper
• Which websites might require the use of HTTPS?
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Websites with HTTPS

• These days, most websites use HTTPS as they deal
with personal data
• Some specific types of site that use HTTPS are:
• Banks – to prevent theft
• Online shops – for bank and log in details
• Social networks – for log in details and personal data
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

FTP
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used for sending or
retrieving files to or from a FTP server
• A graphical interface will allow files to be dragged from your
computer to the server
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

How email works

• When an email is sent from a computer it will first be
sent to a mail server using the SMTP protocol
• It is then forwarded on by other SMTP servers
• When it reaches the destination mail server it is stored
• The user’s computer uses POP or IMAP to access the email
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

POP and IMAP

• These email retrieval protocols fetch
message data and attachments from
your remote mail server
• POP (Post-Office Protocol) will download
every new message to your local device and
with them no longer being available on the
server – This is similar to the protocol of
sending a letter through a post office
• IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
will leave the messages on a server. They
can be accessed by multiple devices and
they only are removed if the user deletes them
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

SMTP
• This is an email protocol used for sending email
• Email software, such as Outlook, sends the
email to the SMTP server used by the
company or individual
• The mail server then relays the message
through various other servers known
as mail relays
• Finally, the email arrives at the
destination mail server
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Worksheet 5
• Now complete Task 1 on Worksheet 5
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

TCP/IP protocol
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
• Breaks up messages sent over the Internet into small chunks
called packets
• Reassembles the packets at the other end
• Detects errors
• Resends lost messages

• IP (Internet Protocol)
• Routes the individual packets from one IP address to another
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

The TCP/IP protocol stack

• The protocol stack defines four layers that enable
communication on the Internet
• This is a modular design with each layer being responsible for
a small part of the communication process
• The four layers are divisions of network functionality,
each carrying out different roles:
• Application layer
• Transport layer
• Internet layer
• Link layer
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Sending data
• The application you are using to send data will
determine the correct protocol to use to
communicate

Computer application produces data for sending

Splits data into packets

Sends and routes the packets

Physical hardware and cables

Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Application layer
• Applications such as email clients and web browsers
create data to send in this layer
• SMTP, FTP and HTTP operate in this layer

• Which application protocol would be

selected by:
• A browser connecting to a banking website?
• An email program used to send a message?
• File transfer software used to upload files
to a website?
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Application layer
• A browser connecting to a banking website
• Uses HTTP

• An email program used to send a message

• Uses SMTP
• It also uses POP or IMAP to receive mail

• File transfer software used to upload files to a

website
• Uses FTP
 Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Transport layer
• The Transport layer creates the connection between
two computers, or ‘hosts’
• Data is then divided up into packets and given
a packet number
• Packets are reassembled by the recipient’s
Transport layer
• Lost packets are resent
• This layer uses TCP (Transmission Control
Protocol)

TG – can alternatively use UDP

Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Internet layer
• The Internet layer is responsible for routing packets
• Routers operate on this layer

• Source and destination addresses are

written on to the packets ready
for transmission
• Which protocol operates on the Transport
layer (in the last slide)?
• Which protocol operates on the
Internet layer?
• Which protocols do you think operate in
the Link layer?
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Layer protocols
• Transport Layer
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

• Internet Layer
• Internet Protocol (IP)

• Link Layer
• MAC (Media Access Control)
• Ethernet
• Wi-Fi
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Receiving data
• Data packets move back up the layers on arrival:
• The link layer removes the MAC address
and passes packets up to the Internet layer
• The Internet layer removes the IP
addresses and passes packets up to
the Transport layer
• The Transport layer reassembles the
packets and passes the data to the
Application layer
• The Application layer uses the correct
protocol to correctly display the data, web
page or email for the user
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

The advantages of layers

• Layers are self-contained
• The functionality of one layer can be changed without
affecting the functionality of other layers
• Different hardware or software operates on a
particular layer providing interoperability between
providers and systems
• This means that manufacturer’s routers operating on the
Internet layer, will operate with another manufacturer’s
Network Interface Cards (NICs) operating on the Link layer
• Senders and receivers using different software and hardware
can communicate using the same layer protocols
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Worksheet 5
• Now complete Task 1 on Worksheet 5
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Plenary
• Work in a pair to decide what each of the following
acronyms stand for
• HTTP
• HTTPS
• FTP
• POP
• IMAP
• SMTP
• TCP/IP

• Which pair in the class got the most correct?

Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

Plenary
• HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol
• HTTPS – Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
• FTP – File Transfer Protocol
• POP – Post Office Protocol
• IMAP – Internet Message Access Protocol
• SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
• TCP/IP – Transmission Control Protocol /
Internet Protocol
Protocols and layers
Unit 3 Networks, connections and protocols

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