Have you ever wondered how possible it is for you to send messages from your devices(phones, laptops, Ipads) to others and they were able to receive it without visible connections between both parties? Well, this article is aimed at unraveling some of the wonders behind such possibilities. For one, Internet Protocols made that possible. But how? 🤔
First, we will look at what Internet Protocols are, their importance, types, and more.

What are Internet Protocols and their importance?

These are set of standardized procedures for transmitting data from one device to another over the internet. They are a set of guidelines and rules made to ensure that data is broken into packets on one end and then reassembled on the other end.

Their importance can never be overemphasized in the sense that they are significant for several reasons which include:

1. Reliability: These protocols ensure reliability and efficiency when transmitting data over the internet. They do this by breaking data down into smaller packets, ensuring that data is transmitted correctly and any lost packets can be retransmitted, which leads to more reliable and stable communication.

2. Interoperability: Internet protocols enable various devices and systems to communicate with one another regardless of their location or hardware configuration. This interoperability enables seamless communication between different systems and devices, which is critical for the modern internet's operation.

3. Standardization: Internet protocols provide a standardized method of communication, ensuring that different devices and systems can communicate with one another. This standardization is essential because it enables the development of compatible hardware and software across different manufacturers and platforms.

In the next section, we'll be looking at are benefits and types of internet protocols.

Benefits and types of Internet Protocols

Internet protocols have several advantages that make them an essential component of today's internet. Among the most significant advantages are:

1. Internet protocols standardize methods of communication and because of this, it makes it easier to communicate despite the specification of each device.

2. Due to breaking data into small chunks, data is sent faster, more efficiently, and reliably over the internet.

3. Scalability and flexibility: Internet protocols are designed to be scalable and flexible, which means they can handle a wide range of communication scenarios and adapt to changes in network conditions. This scalability and flexibility allow the internet to grow and evolve over time to meet the changing needs of its users.

So what are the types of protocols? We will only list them in this article without going into detail because explaining each one would take too long.

1. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

2. User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

3. Internet Protocol (IP)

4. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

5. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

6. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

7. Domain Name System (DNS)

How do Internet Protocols work and what Limitations are there?

Internet protocols work by breaking data down into smaller packets and then transmitting these packets to their destination over the internet. Each packet contains information such as the source and destination addresses, as well as the data itself. The packets are then routed through a series of routers and switches to their final destination.

When the packets arrive at their destination, the original data is reassembled. This process is governed by internet protocols, which ensure that packets are reliably and efficiently transmitted across the internet. Are there limitations? Yes, there are.

Limitations include:

1. Security vulnerabilities: Internet protocols can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, such as denial of service attacks or man-in-the-middle attacks, which compromise the security and integrity of the data transmitted over the internet, which significantly limits these protocols.

2. Compatibility issues: There are numerous internet protocols in use, and not all of them are interchangeable. This can lead to compatibility issues, making communication between different devices and platforms difficult.

3. Lack of QoS guarantees: Because Internet protocols do not guarantee the quality of service (QoS), data transmission performance and reliability can vary depending on network conditions. Certain applications, such as real-time video or voice communication, may suffer as a result.

4. Limited addressing: The current version of the internet protocol, IPv4, has a limited number of unique addresses available, which can limit the growth of the internet.

Conclusion

To summarize, internet protocols are critical for ensuring reliable and secure communication between various internet-connected devices. The internet as we know it today would not be possible without them.

Internet protocols provide advantages such as increased speed, standardization, reliability, error correction, scalability, and flexibility, all of which are critical for the modern internet's operation.

While internet protocols are an important part of today's internet, they do have some limitations, such as security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, a lack of QoS guarantees, and limited addressing. Despite these limitations, internet protocols remain the modern internet's backbone, and efforts are being made to address these limitations through protocol improvements and updates.

Here are some recommendations for further reading:

1. The TCP/IP Guide - by Charles M. Kozierok

2. Computer Networking - by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross

3. Understanding IP Addressing: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know - by Chuck Semeria and Tom Maufer

4. An Introduction to Internet Protocols - by Jason Baker