Digital Communication Protocols, Methods and Devices

Adam Gilson

Communication Protocols

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

HTTP – short for HyperText Transfer Protocol

Allows users to control what they want the browser to display. E.G – using HTTP at the start of a URL sends a command to the web server asking it to fetch the requested webpage.

A secure version exists for pages that need a secure connection HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

WAP (Wireless Access Protocol)

WAP – Short for Wireless Application Protocol

Used on mobile devices to securely access information.

WAP uses microbrowsers (browsers with smaller file sizes) to reduce the bandwidth of viewing internet

Pre-3G Light on CPU and battery because it

cannot run most scripts found online

GSM (Global System for Mobile) GSM – Short for Global System for Mobile

Communication Second generation of internet for mobile

devices (2G) Allows for data to be carried in packets

between the phone and network. First method to allow mobile devices to work

abroad via ‘Roaming’ Roaming is where the phone uses foreign

networks to send requests back to the phones home network. As a result it is much more expensive.

3G (3rd Generation Protocol) 3G – short for 3rd Generation Protocol Allows mobile devices to transfer data at

speeds from 200kbit/s Uses existing GSM and EDGE systems to

access the internet on mobile devices. Streams data from network to phone and

back in packets Requires special equipment to work. Coverage in the UK is 90% Allows Users to roam in other countries for a

fee

4G (4th generation Protocol)

4G – short for 4th Generation Protocol

Significantly faster than 3G (up to 6 times faster)

Requires new handset to work. Has to be 4G ready.

Coverage is scarce due to the fact it’s new

5G (5th Generation Protocol)

5G – short for 5th Generation Protocol

Not available yet – By 2017 Requires new handset to be

accessed Currently only available to military. Speeds up to 20Mbit/s

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

GPRS – Short for General Packet Radio Service Second generation of internet for mobile

devices (2G) An alternative to GSM Allows for data to be carried in packets

between the phone and network. First method to allow mobile devices to work

abroad via ‘Roaming’ Roaming is where the phone uses foreign

networks to send requests back to the phones home network. As a result it is much more expensive.

Bluetooth

A short range wireless communication method on devices

Allows files to be transferred between devices

Can also allow speech / video to be sent from one device to another such as a Bluetooth headset

Insecure Two devices must pair with each other

before they can transmit files across.

Broadband (ADSL)

ADSL – Short for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

Allows data to be sent down a copper telephone cable in two directions (Incoming and Outgoing)

Can only be distributed down short distances. Up to 4km.

Connects to the telephone exchange where it is split from the telephone line and connected to the data network.

Much faster than Dial Up

Broadband (ADSL)

VoiP (Voice over internet Protocol)

Allows the user to make voice calls over the internet

Works by sending the voice through the internet in packets which are received by the other person within the call.

Do not incur any more costs than what the user pays for internet

VoiP (Voice over internet Protocol)

Methods

Forums

Forums are a method of many users discussing a topic.

Nowadays they tend to be used to tech support, one user will create a topic about their topic and other users will help troubleshoot it.

Other forum examples could include: Game Forums Tech Support Dating Forums Film Review Forums Misc Forums

Forums

Applications Computers – Users mostly access forums

through the use of computers Mobile – Users can also access forums

through the mobile devices though it’s less common

Forums

Weblogs (Blogs)

Blogs tend to be used to express one person interest in a subject or to document something such as a project.

Usually in order of date published. Can include images, video or just text. Some sites count as ‘microblogs’ meaning they

have the same purpose but with a much smaller word count (example: Twitter)

Examples of Blogs: Wordpress Blogger Blogspot

Weblogs (Blogs)

Applications Computers – Users mostly access blogs

through the use of computers whether it be through internet browser or a standalone program.

Mobile – Users can also access blogs through the mobile devices. Microblogs like Twitter are very popular on mobile devices.

Wikis

A wiki is a source of information on a subject The most popular one is Wikipedia which is a

free-to-edit encyclopaedia of information Because they’re free-to-edit anybody can

change anything so they cannot be seen as reliable

Most games, TV Shows, Books and films have their own Wikis regarding their subjects.

Examples of wikis: Wookiepedia – Star Wars Wiki Marvel Wiki – Marvel Wikipedia – general information Wiki

Wikis

Applications Computers – Users mostly access wikis

through the use of computers, more specificly through internet browsers

Mobile – Users can also access wikis through the mobile devices though it’s less common

Games consoles can also access wikis though it’s uncommon due to the lack of user friendly browsers

Wikis

Email

Email is a popular digital method of contact via the distribution of messages from computer to computer.

Users have unique ‘email addresses’ which other users can email them through

Files can be attached to emails to allow content to be sent up to a file size limit (Typically 5MB)

Messages take time to arrive, depending on the mail services

Example of email services: Gmail – Google Email Yahoo Mail – Yahoo Email Outlook – Microsoft Email

Email

Applications Computers – Email is a common method

of communication on computers through both browsers and standalone clients.

Mobile – Users do also access email through mobile devices, again through either browsers or apps.

Email

IM (Instant Messaging)

Instant Messaging is a popular method of contact online. It allows for users to talk virtually in real time

Messages sent from one user to another appear instantly

The service shows who out of a users contact list is currently online to chat to.

Mobile IM services are becoming increasingly popular Used a lot for tech Support nowadays to allow advisers

to troubleshoot problems quickly IM Services include:

MSN Messenger (Now defunct) Skype Facebook Messenger WhatApp

IM (Instant Messaging)

Applications Computers – Instant Messaging is very

popular on PC’s through standalone clients such as Skype.

Mobile – Users also tend to use mobile devices for Im using apps such as WhatsApp

Instant Messaging

SMS (Short Messaging System) SMS is commonly known as ‘texts’. They are messages sent from one mobile

device to another using the phone network. Text based Commonly used by business to alert users to

something such as a delivery Users can send and receive them. Receiving is

free however sending carries a cost. Can be done abroad however both sending

and receiving them carries a cost.

SMS (Short Messaging System)

Applications Mobile – SMS is mobile based therefore

it’s used primarily on these devices Computers – SMS can also be accessed

online via computers though this is run though mobile devices.

SMS (Short Messaging System)

MMS (Multimedia Messaging System)

Allows users to send images, audio and video through the phone network

Only available on some devices. MMS messages tend to cost more

than an SMS message, but depends on size of the file being sent

Most networks restrict MMS messages to a maximum size.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging System)

Applications Mobile – MMS is mobile based therefore

it’s used primarily on these devices Computers – MMS can also be accessed

online via computers though this is run though mobile devices.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging System)

Video Conferencing

Allows two or more users to see and hear each other through the internet through simultaneous two way video transmissions

Requires users to have a webcam and microphone

May be used for business or personal use.

Popular software packages may be: Skype

Video Conferencing

Applications Computers – Video conferencing is very

popular on PC’s through standalone clients such as Skype or browser based services called TinyChat.

Mobile – Users also tend to use mobile devices for IM using apps such as Skype

Video Conferencing

Virtual Communities

Allows users to meet up and interact with one another using virtual representations of themselves known as ‘avatars’

Takes place in 3D virtual worlds Users can interact with other users and the

world through gestures, walking, actions and speech whether text or voice based

Example virtual communities: Second Life World of Warcraft PlayStation Home

Virtual Communities

Applications Computers – Virtual Communities are

very popular on PC’s through standalone clients such as Second Life.

Games Consoles – Virtual Communities are popular on the PS3 console in the application, Playstation Home

Virtual Communities

Virtual Learning Environments

Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) are used in education to give students and teachers virtual access to resources used in education

Examples of resources could be work, timetables and news

Usually contain some form of messaging system to allow students to contact teachers

Virtual Learning Environments

Applications Computers – Virtual Learning

Environments are popular in schools on their own internal systems. Usually the VLE’s are browser based.

Virtual Learning Environments