This comparison covers Protocol Comparison Table within Protocols for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Protocols in 3.5 Fundamentals of Computer Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 18 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 7 of 11 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Protocol Comparison Table
| Protocol | Full Name | Port | Purpose | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | HyperText Transfer Protocol | 80 | Load web pages | NOT secure (plain text) |
| HTTPS | HTTP Secure | 443 | Load web pages securely | Secure (SSL/TLS encryption) |
| FTP | File Transfer Protocol | 21 (command) 20 (data) |
Transfer files | NOT secure (use SFTP instead) |
| SMTP | Simple Mail Transfer Protocol | 25, 587 | Send emails | Can be encrypted (TLS) |
| POP3 | Post Office Protocol v3 | 110 | Download emails (delete from server) | NOT secure (use POP3S) |
| IMAP | Internet Message Access Protocol | 143 | Access emails (keep on server) | NOT secure (use IMAPS) |
Practice questions for Protocols
What is a protocol in networking?
Explain the role of TCP/IP in network communication.