Properties and characteristics of TCP/IP

• Reliable Data Delivery: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures reliable data delivery by breaking down data into packets, sequencing them, and acknowledging receipt for error-free transmission.
• Connection-Oriented: TCP establishes a connection between sender and receiver before data exchange, guaranteeing in-order delivery.
• Connectionless: UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is an alternative protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability. It doesn't establish connections and sends data packets independently, making it suitable for time-sensitive applications like video streaming.

Common Ports, Protocols, and Purposes

• Ports: Ports act like doorways on a device, identifying the specific service or application a data stream is intended for. Here are some common examples:
  • Port 80: HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - Used for communication between web browsers and servers.
  • Port 443: HTTPS (Secure HTTP) - Encrypted version of HTTP, commonly used for secure online transactions.
  • Port 22: SSH (Secure Shell) - Secure remote access protocol.
  • Port 25: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - Used for sending email.
• Protocols: These define communication rules and formats for specific tasks:
  • FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Used for transferring files between computers.
  • DNS (Domain Name System): Translates human-readable domain names (like [invalid URL removed]) into numerical IP addresses.
  • SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): As mentioned above, governs email transmission.

Demystifying Wi-Fi Standards and Encryption

Wi-Fi Standards:

These standards define the technical specifications for wireless networking, including speed, range, and security capabilities. Here's a comparison of some common ones:

Encryption:

Wi-Fi encryption safeguards data transmission over wireless networks. Here's a breakdown of common options:

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): Obsolete due to vulnerabilities. Not recommended.
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): Improved security over WEP, but can be cracked with sophisticated methods.
• WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2): Current industry standard, offering strong encryption.
• WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3): Latest standard, providing the most robust security features.

Choosing the Right Standard and Encryption:

• Balance speed, range, and security needs. For basic internet use, 802.11n with WPA2 might suffice. For high-performance applications and maximum security, consider 802.11ac or ax with WPA3.
• Compatibility: Ensure your devices support the chosen Wi-Fi standard and encryption type.

By understanding TCP/IP, common protocols and ports, and Wi-Fi standards with encryption, you gain a solid foundation for navigating the complexities of network communication.