When computer communicates with each other, there is a common set of rules and conditions that each computer has to follow. In other words, protocols determine how data are transmitted between computing devices and over networks.
Protocols are classified into two categories routed protocols and a routing protocols
In simple terms, router is like a bus used for transportation while routing protocols are signals on the road.
Based on the type of communication different protocols are used.
In this tutorial we will learn
Types of Protocols |
Purpose of Protocols |
TCP/IP |
It is used to send information in small packets over Internet |
UDP/ ICMP |
It is used to send small amount of information in data-packets over internet |
POP3 and SMTP |
It is used for sending and receiving mail |
Hypertext Transfer Protocol |
It is used to transfer HTML page in encrypted form to provide security to sensitive data |
FTP |
It is used for transporting files over a network from one node to another |
* TCP/IP- Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet protocol, UDP / ICMP- User Datagram Protocol/Internet Control Message Protocol, POP3/SMTP- Post Office Protocol / Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, HTTP- Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, FTP- File Transfer Protocol
The OSI model has total 7 layer of network communication, in which layer 2 and layer 3 are very crucial.
Protocol testing is a generic term used by companies working in the communication industry for testing different protocols in domains of Switching, Wireless, VoIP, Routing, Switching, etc.
Companies like CISCO, JUNIPER, ALCATEL produce networking devices like routers, modems, wireless access points, etc. that use different protocols for communication, for example, CISCO uses EIGRP, OSPF, etc.
Protocol testing is nothing but checking whether EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) or OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) or any other protocol is working as per respective standard.
Protocol testing includes testing of functionality, performance, protocol stack, interoperability, etc. During protocol testing basically three checks is done.
Protocol testing can be segregated into two categories. Stress and Reliability Tests and Functional Tests. Stress and Reliability tests cover load testing, stress testing, performance testing, etc. While functional testing includes negative testing, conformance testing, interoperability testing, etc.