← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Network protocols

An agreed set of rules that devices follow so they can communicate, like HTTP for web pages. Both devices must use the same protocol to understand each other.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 35, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 35, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 8, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 6, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 31, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 49, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Digital Methods for Exchanging Data — Module 79, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 6

Understanding Network protocols in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: Communication works because the browser and the server both follow the same protocol, HTTP. Different protocols are used for different types of communication, and each one is an agreed set of rules. A protocol is a set of rules, not a piece of hardware. Devices follow these rules so they can understand each other. HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules browsers and web servers use to send web pages. USB is a type of port and cable, not a web protocol.

Common mistakes: HTTP is text, so it must be in quotes. Without them Python looks for a variable called HTTP. It should be protocol = 'HTTP'. A single = assigns a value. Comparing two values needs ==. It should be if protocol == 'HTTP':.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–40) and word search (Modules 21–52).

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Learning

Duo

What is a protocol?

An agreed set of rules devices follow to communicateA type of cable that connects devices

Matches

browser: HTTP <-> server: a different protocol

↓

The two devices use different rules, so they cannot understand each other. Both must use the same protocol, such as HTTP.

Applying

Meanings

Term

protocol

Meaning

An agreed set of rules that devices follow so they can communicate, like HTTP for web pages. Both devices must use the same protocol to understand each other.

Practice

GET /index.html HTTP/1.1

Testing

Gaps

= "HTTP"

Check Answer

Spots

1protocol = HTTP

2device_a = 'browser'

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Quick Questions

1. What is a protocol?

A. An agreed set of rules devices follow to communicate ✓

B. A type of cable that connects devices

A protocol is a set of rules, not a piece of hardware. Devices follow these rules so they can understand each other.

2. Which protocol is used to send web pages?

A. USB

B. HTTP ✓

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules browsers and web servers use to send web pages. USB is a type of port and cable, not a web protocol.

3. Two devices want to communicate. What must be true about the protocol?

A. Each device can use a different protocol

B. Both devices must use the same protocol ✓

If devices follow different rules they cannot understand each other, just like two people speaking different languages.

4. Which is the best comparison for a protocol?

A. A shared language that both people speak ✓

B. A faster battery for your device

A protocol works like a shared language. Both sides need to know the same rules for the conversation to work.

5. Your browser asks a web server for a page. Which rules does it follow?

A. HTTP ✓

B. RAM

The browser and the web server follow HTTP to request and send the page. RAM is memory, not a set of communication rules.

Match the Pairs

HTTP → The protocol (set of rules) that web browsers and web servers follow to send and receive web pages

protocol → An agreed set of rules that devices follow so they can communicate with each other

Both devices must use the same protocol to understand each other → browser: HTTP <-> server: HTTP

Examples of protocols include HTTP for web pages and Bluetooth for short-range transfer → protocols = [HTTP, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi]

browser: HTTP <-> server: a different protocol → The two devices use different rules, so they cannot understand each other. Both must use the same protocol, such as HTTP.

protocol = a type of cable → A protocol is not a piece of hardware. It is an agreed set of rules that devices follow to communicate.

Key Term

protocol

An agreed set of rules that devices follow so they can communicate, like HTTP for web pages. Both devices must use the same protocol to understand each other.

Fill in the Blanks

1. protocol = "HTTP" print(protocol)

Hint: Type the variable name that means an agreed set of rules devices follow to communicate.

2. url = "http://www.example.com"

Hint: Type the lowercase name of the protocol used for web pages, found at the start of the address.

3. laptop = "HTTP" server = "HTTP" print(laptop == server)

Hint: Type the operator that checks whether both devices use the same protocol, meaning the two values are equal.

4. protocols = ["HTTP", "FTP", "SMTP"] print(len(protocols))

Hint: Type the name of the list that holds the examples of protocols.

5. def send(data, protocol): print("Sending using", protocol)

Hint: Type the parameter name for the agreed rules the data is sent with.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A protocol = HTTP

B device_a = 'browser'

C device_b = 'web server'

D print(device_a, protocol)

Line A — HTTP is text, so it must be in quotes. Without them Python looks for a variable called HTTP. It should be protocol = 'HTTP'.

Question 2

A def send(protocol):

B if protocol = 'HTTP':

C return 'web page'

D return 'unknown'

Line B — A single = assigns a value. Comparing two values needs ==. It should be if protocol == 'HTTP':.

Question 3

A browser = 'HTTP'

B server = 'HTTP'

C if browser == server:

D print('They cannot talk')

Line D — Both devices use HTTP, so they follow the same rules and can communicate. The message should be print('They can talk').

Question 4

A protocols = ['HTTP', 'FTP']

B for p in protocol:

C print(p)

Line B — The list is called protocols, not protocol. Looping over an undefined name causes an error. It should be for p in protocols:.

Question 5

A web = 'HTTP

B email = 'SMTP'

C files = 'FTP'

D print(web, email, files)

Line A — The string is missing its closing quote. It should be web = 'HTTP'.

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