7. Application Layer
| Protocol Name | Description | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) | The foundation of data communication on the web, used for transferring web pages and other resources. | Used in web browsing (e.g., loading websites), APIs, and RESTful services. |
| HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) | A secure version of HTTP that uses SSL/TLS to encrypt communication between the client and server. | Used in secure web browsing, banking, and online shopping. |
| FTP (File Transfer Protocol) | A standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and a server. | Used for uploading and downloading files to/from a server, website management. |
| SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) | A secure version of FTP, using SSH to encrypt the data transfer. | Used for secure file transfer over networks, often in secure server environments. |
| SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) | A protocol for sending and routing emails between mail servers. | Used for sending emails from clients to servers and between mail servers. |
| IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) | A protocol for retrieving emails from a server, allowing clients to access and manage email on the server. | Used for accessing email on remote servers, supports multiple devices. |
| POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) | A protocol for receiving emails from a server, typically downloading the email to the client. | Used for receiving emails, often in environments with limited server access. |
| DNS (Domain Name System) | A protocol for converting human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses. | Used for resolving domain names to IP addresses, essential for website access. |
| DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) | A network protocol that dynamically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network. | Used for automatic IP address assignment on home and enterprise networks. |
| SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) | A protocol used for network management and monitoring devices like routers, switches, and servers. | Used for monitoring the health and performance of networked devices in large networks. |
| LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) | A protocol for accessing and managing directory services over a network. | Used for querying and managing user directories, such as for authentication. |
| TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer) | Cryptographic protocols used to secure communications between devices over a network. | Used to secure data in transit over HTTP (HTTPS), email protocols, etc. |
| RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) | A protocol that allows users to remotely access a graphical desktop interface on another device. | Used in remote access to desktops, often for IT support or virtual desktop environments. |
| XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) | A protocol for real-time messaging, presence, and contact list management. | Used in instant messaging applications, such as Google Talk and Jabber. |
| SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) | A protocol used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating multimedia communication sessions, such as VoIP calls. | Used for voice calls, video conferencing, and instant messaging. |
| NTP (Network Time Protocol) | A protocol used for synchronizing clocks between computers over a network. | Used to ensure that devices on a network have synchronized system clocks, important for logging and time-sensitive applications. |
| SMB (Server Message Block) | A network file-sharing protocol that enables sharing files, printers, and other resources across a network. | Common in Windows networks for sharing files and printers, also used in Linux and macOS. |
| RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol) | A protocol used for delivering audio and video over IP networks. | Used in VoIP applications, video conferencing, and streaming media. |
| MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) | A standard for formatting non-text email content (such as images, audio, and video) and allowing attachments. | Used in email clients and web applications for handling multimedia messages. |
| SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) | A protocol for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services. | Used in web services for requesting and delivering XML-based messages. |
| REST (Representational State Transfer) | An architectural style for designing networked applications, often implemented with HTTP. | Used for creating APIs that are lightweight, stateless, and scalable. |
| CMIP (Common Management Information Protocol) | A network management protocol designed to support management of network devices and services. | Used in network management systems (NMS), especially in telecom and large-scale networks. |
Layer 7 provides services directly to user applications, such as web browsing, email, file transfers, and remote access. This layer is where protocols facilitate data exchange between software applications running on devices, ensuring they can communicate efficiently and securely across a network.