Data center, server, storage and networking management are all extremely complex yet critical procedures of IT. With such territory comes a myriad of jargon, and here the experts at Procurri aim to demystify one such area: Network Protocols. Read on to learn more!
What are Network Protocols?
Network Protocols are a set of pre-defined rules that prescribe the way devices transfer data through the networks to which they’re connected. Often a network plays host to a variety of different devices’ structures, designs and internal processes – so these protocols aim to streamline and standardize the way in which they all speak to one another.
In the most basic of terms, Network Protocols can be considered the basis of modern digital communications, because they’re what standardize communications between laptops, tablets and smartphones. Essentially all messages transmitted through electronic means will be subject to Network Protocols.
Who creates Network Protocols?
Network Protocols are created by a whole host of networking and IT organizations, but few are adopted to mainstream usage. Each is created to the relevant industry best practice standards as dictated by the area within which they operate.
The most well-known organizations who have created Network Protocols are:
- IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
- IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
- ITU (International Telecommunications Union)
- W3C (The World Wide Web Consortium).
Who uses Network Protocols?
Network Protocols are far from an IT process used just by specialist staff. Instead, almost all of the world’s population use Network Protocols on a daily basis. Billions of people access them without realising – through using the internet or any other digital communication channels.
Types of Network Protocols
There are three main types of Network Protocols:
- Network Management
- Network Security
- Network Communication.
Network Management (ICMP, SNMP)
ICMP is an acronym referring to Internet Control Message Protocol. It’s a core part of the IP protocol suite and is used for network diagnostics, to report errors and to provide general information on a network.
SNMP is an acronym referring to Simple Network Management Protocol. It allows administrators to gather data on their devices and track their status; making adjustments to their behaviour in response. It helps not just monitor but also manage network devices.
Network Security (HTTPS, SSL, SFTP)
HTTPS is an acronym referring to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s the secure version of HTTP (as you see when you type a URL into a web browser) and uses additional encryption to protect the data transmitted between a browser and the site it’s viewing. This ensures the data cannot be accessed or tampered with by any third party.
SSL is an acronym referring to Secure Sockets Layer. It creates a secure connection between a user and a server by authenticating the server and encrypting data transmitted to and from it.
SFTP is an acronym referring to Secure File Transfer Protocol. It is a sub-set of SSH (Secure Shell) protocol that offers a secure alternative to the traditional FTP. SFTP encrypts both the data being transferred and the commands being used to do so.
Network Communication (HTTP, TCP/IP)
HTTP is an acronym referring to Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It’s the foundation of the internet, allowing basic communication between a server and a web browser accessing the World Wide Web. Web pages and other data is transferred between sources – but not securely, as the newer HTTPS provides.
TCP/IP is an acronym referring to Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. This is the original underlying protocol suite that facilitates data transfer and communication across networks. TCP manages connection-oriented communications while IP manages the routing of data packets and the addressing of devices. In the simplest terms, IP is responsible for addressing the envelope and delivering it correctly, while TCP is responsible for the content inside it.
In layman’s terms, what does each area of Network Protocol actually do?
Each area of Network Protocols allows for different types of data management.
Network Management Protocols include functionality to:
- Establish and maintain connections between devices
- Aggregate links to combine multiple network connections into a single link (increasing the strength of the connection and sustaining it)
- Troubleshoot to identify errors affecting the network.
Network Security Protocols include functionality to:
- Encrypt data to protect and secure it
- Authenticate entities to require identity verification before secure data can be accessed
- Transport data securely from one device to another.
Network Communication Protocols include functionality to:
- Automate processes such as Cloud tech processes, self-driving vehicles and smart building management
- Instant message between smartphones and computers
- Route communication between routers and other devices on a network
- Connect devices via Bluetooth connectivity
- Transfer files between devices
- Send and receive data across the internet.
Specific Network Management Protocols
Network Management Protocols are designed to govern and maintain a network so that it works correctly and to the best of its capabilities. These specific protocols determine the monitoring, management and maintenance of a network, allowing for reliable and stable network performance.
Network Management Protocols provide the network operator with:
- Details on a host’s availability
- Packet/data loss information
- An overall status
- Details on any weaknesses or errors in a connection.
It is usually the Network Management Protocols that a network operator will use to help troubleshoot any issues in the communications between host network and the end users’ devices.
Simple Network Management Protocol
SNMP is, at a basic level, a way of talking to all elements of a network that the network operator wants to monitor. It was created and defined by the Internet Architecture Board to manage network devices connected over an IP. No matter the hardware and software configuration, SNMP facilitates communication with a common language across all devices (including but not limited to routers, servers, and printers).
This shared language between devices allows for the network to be easily monitored and managed by providing an easy way to check in on the performance of those devices connected to it. SNMP has been the common Network Monitoring Protocol across the last few decades, and remains so today. While it touches on all areas of a network to monitor, it is at its core essentially fairly basic.
Internet Control Message Protocol
ICMP is a Network Monitoring Protocol designed specifically for error reporting; to transmit error messages where either a network host or a client device would struggle to communicate. This may be where either the host or client are unreachable, or if information has been queried but is unavailable for return.
ICMP is not used to exchange data between systems in the same way that SNMP is; but instead used by the administrators of a network or business continuity analysts to troubleshoot connection or communication issues. As such, ICMP is not associated with any transport layer protocol as it does not require a connection to be opened before it transmits data. Instead, ICMP sends ‘datagrams’ with a header to summarize the message within. These error messages include:
- Redirect
- Time exceeded
- Destination unreachable
- Parameter problem
- Source quench
- Packet too big.
How can Procurri help with Network Maintenance?
It should by now be fairly apparent that the ongoing management and maintenance of comprehensive and complex networks can be difficult with many moving parts and lots of very technical aspects to be understood and worked with!
In most cases, the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) of network products offer a set term network maintenance plan that helps operators use, monitor and maintain their hardware and software comprehensively and capably. However, this is usually only offered for a set time period after the product has been sold – often between 2-4 years. After this time, the OEM withdraws their support and recommends that the operator goes on to purchase a newer product and replace it with this, which will in turn be serviced by a newer network maintenance plan
While this is the status quo in the data center industry, it has been fiercely fought back against in recent years as businesses fight overconsumption, unnecessary e-waste and overspending on budgets. Instead, specialist firms are now offering Third Party Maintenance services to take over from OEMs when their own support expires. In all but the rarest cases, the hardware and software continues to function just fine with regular maintenance and updates; leaving the network operator to save their money and better contribute to ESG standards without unnecessarily waste and spend on new products.
To learn more on network maintenance that contributes to sustainability, extends the lifespan of assets and continues to deliver seamless service for end users, get in touch the Procurri team today!