Here is a list of some of the most common network protocols used in computer networks:
- TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol):
- The fundamental suite of protocols for the internet and most networks, including TCP for reliable data transmission and IP for addressing and routing.
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol):
- Used for retrieving and displaying web pages and web content in browsers. Secure version is HTTPS.
- SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol):
- Used for sending email messages.
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol):
- Used for transferring files between computers on a network.
- SSH (Secure Shell):
- Provides secure remote access and secure file transfers.
- DNS (Domain Name System):
- Resolves domain names (e.g., www.example.com) to IP addresses.
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol):
- Automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices on a network.
- SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol):
- Used for managing and monitoring network devices and their performance.
- ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol):
- Provides error reporting and diagnostics for network issues, including the ping utility.
- ARP (Address Resolution Protocol):
- Maps IP addresses to MAC (hardware) addresses on a local network.
- NTP (Network Time Protocol):
- Synchronizes the time on network devices and computers.
- HTTPS (HTTP Secure):
- Secure version of HTTP, used for secure web browsing and transmitting sensitive data.
- LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol):
- Used for accessing and managing directory services, often in authentication and authorization systems.
These are some of the most common network protocols, but there are many more specialised protocols used for specific purposes within computer networks. The choice of which protocol to use depends on the network’s requirements and the applications and services it supports.