Internet Protocols Notes for SSC Exams: TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP and More

Internet protocols are a favourite in SSC Computer Knowledge. The questions ask the full form and the use of protocols such as HTTP, FTP, SMTP and TCP/IP. These internet protocols notes for SSC list every important protocol in one table, with the IP address facts and practice questions. Read it with the Computer Network Notes and Email, Browser and Search Engine Notes notes.

What Is a Protocol?

A protocol is a set of rules that decides how data is sent and received between the devices in a network. Computers on the internet can talk to each other only when they follow the same protocols.

Important Protocols

IP Address

• An IP address is a unique number given to every device on a network.
• IPv4 has 32 bits and is written in four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.1. It gives about 4.3 billion addresses.
• IPv6 has 128 bits and is written in hexadecimal separated by colons. It was made because IPv4 addresses are almost used up.
• A MAC address is the physical address of a network card (48 bits).
• localhost or 127.0.0.1 means the same computer.

DNS and Web Address

When you type a website name, the DNS works like the phone book of the internet and finds its IP address. A URL such as https://www.example.com has the protocol (https), the domain name (example.com) and the path of the page.

OSI Model (Basic Idea)

The OSI model has seven layers, and the TCP/IP model has four layers (application, transport, internet and network access).

Important Questions Explained

Question 1: What is the full form of HTTP?
Answer: HyperText Transfer Protocol.

Question 2: Which protocol is used to send emails?
Answer: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

Question 3: Which protocol is used to upload and download files?
Answer: FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

Question 4: Which system converts a domain name into an IP address?
Answer: DNS (Domain Name System).

Question 5: How many bits are there in an IPv4 address?
Answer: 32 bits.

Question 6: How many layers are there in the OSI model?
Answer: Seven.

Quick Tips to Remember

• Learn the full forms of HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP and DNS.
• Remember "S" in HTTPS as secure.
• Link SMTP with sending, and POP3 and IMAP with receiving mails.
• Remember IPv4 as 32 bits and IPv6 as 128 bits.
• Link DNS with the phone book of the internet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Writing HTTP as HyperText Transmission Protocol.
• Mixing the sending (SMTP) and the receiving (POP3) protocols.
• Writing IPv6 as 64 bits.
• Confusing the IP address with the MAC address.
• Thinking that HTTPS and HTTP are the same.

Quick Revision Points

• HTTP = web pages; HTTPS = secure web; FTP = files; SMTP = send mail; POP3/IMAP = receive mail.
• DNS converts domain names to IP addresses.
• IPv4 = 32 bits; IPv6 = 128 bits.
• TCP/IP is the base of the internet.
• OSI has 7 layers.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. What is the full form of FTP?
   Answer: File Transfer Protocol (Files).
2. Which protocol is used to send email?
   Answer: SMTP (Outgoing mail).
3. Which protocol is used to receive email?
   Answer: POP3 or IMAP (Incoming mail).
4. What does DNS do?
   Answer: Converts domain names to IP addresses (Phone book of the internet).
5. How many bits are in IPv6?
   Answer: 128 (Hexadecimal).
6. What does the S in HTTPS stand for?
   Answer: Secure (Uses SSL/TLS).
7. Which is the basic protocol of the internet?
   Answer: TCP/IP (Packet transfer).
8. Which protocol gives IP addresses automatically?
   Answer: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
9. How many layers does the OSI model have?
   Answer: Seven (Application to physical).
10. Which protocol is used for the web pages?
    Answer: HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

How to Practise This Chapter

1. Read the tables once and learn the key facts by heart.
2. Revise the quick revision points the next day.
3. Attempt the practice questions above without looking at the answers.
4. Solve a full SSC CGL Tier 1 mini mock to test your general awareness.
5. Check the previous year papers to see how SSC asks computer questions.

Related Notes and Practice Papers

• Computer Network Notes
• Email, Browser and Search Engine Notes
• Internet and Networking Notes
• Computer Knowledge Notes for SSC
• SSC CGL Tier 1 Mini Mock

Explore More SSC Subjects

SSC exams test many subjects, so connect this topic with the related subjects below:

• General Science Notes
• General Awareness Notes
• Quantitative Aptitude Notes
• Reasoning Notes
• Electrical Engineering (SSC JE) Notes
• All SSC subjects and notes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a protocol?

A protocol is a set of rules that decides how data is sent and received between devices.

What is TCP/IP?

TCP/IP is the basic set of protocols of the internet that breaks the data into packets and sends them to the right address.

What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTPS is the secure form of HTTP and encrypts the data using SSL or TLS.

Which protocols are used for email?

SMTP is used to send emails, and POP3 and IMAP are used to receive them.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) converts website names into IP addresses.

What is an IP address?

An IP address is a unique number given to every device on a network.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 has 32 bits, while IPv6 has 128 bits and provides many more addresses.

What is FTP used for?

FTP is used to transfer files between computers over a network.

How many questions come from protocols in SSC exams?

One or two questions usually come from internet protocols and full forms.