| Protocols | 
    
 
    
    
    
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        A protocol
          is a set of rules for transmitting
          data across a network.
           Computers would not be able to communicate if there was no protocol
          as they would not be able to interpret each other's transmitted data. 
          Protocols will have rules for... 
          
            - detecting a connection
 
            - handshaking
 
            - how to start and end a message
 
            - how to format a message
 
            - what to do about errors
 
            - how to detect a loss of connection and
              what to do next
 
            - terminating a connection
 
           
          TCP/IP is the basic communication
          protocol of the Internet and other networks. 
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        Some other common protocols are:
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        HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
        is used for transferring web pages
        between a client and a server on the Internet. It is also used on
        intranets.
          
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        FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used
        for transferring files from one
        computer to another. Eg. Uploading web page files to a web server.
          
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        SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
        is used for sending an email over
        the Internet.
          
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        VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
        is used for sending voiced messages
        over the Internet.
          
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        Wireless protocols enable the
        transmission of data over a wireless network.
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        An example of a wireless protocol is WAP
        that allows access to the Internet from mobile phones.
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