TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the most widely used network protocol suite that enables devices to communicate and transmit data over the internet. It is the foundation of internet communication and responsible for establishing connections between hosts on a network. TCP/IP comprises two core protocols, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP). TCP ensures data transmission reliability by dividing data into packets, reassembling them at the destination, and ensuring their accurate and complete delivery. IP, on the other hand, is responsible for addressing and routing packets between the source and destination devices based on their IP addresses. The suite includes other key components such as domain name system (DNS) for translating domain names to IP addresses, and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) for deciphering IP addresses to physical MAC addresses.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a lightweight and simpler network communication protocol as compared to TCP. It facilitates the transfer of data packets between hosts but focuses on processing speed rather than ensuring the accurate and complete delivery of data. It does not create a connection-oriented communication between sender and receiver, and therefore does not reassemble the sent packets or guarantee their order. This makes UDP suitable for applications where data loss is acceptable and speed is critical, such as video streaming, gaming, or voice over IP (VoIP). Additionally, UDP is often used in situations where one message is meant to reach multiple recipients, such as broadcasting or multicasting.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automates the process of assigning IP addresses to devices connected to a network. DHCP ensures that devices and hosts on a network have unique and valid IP addresses to enable successful communication. The DHCP server receives requests from clients and assigns available IP addresses from a pool, along with other network configuration information such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server. By using DHCP, network administrators can avoid manually configuring IP addresses, prevent IP conflicts, and efficiently allocate and manage limited IP address pools.

Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet's equivalent to a phone book, translating human-readable domain names to IP addresses used by devices for communication. When a user enters a web address in a browser, a DNS query is sent to the DNS server to resolve the domain name into an IP address. The DNS server responds with the corresponding IP address, enabling the browser to establish a connection and load the website. DNS plays a vital role in simplifying the browsing experience by relieving users from memorizing numerical IP addresses. Also, websites can change their IP addresses without affecting the domain name, allowing uninterrupted access to the content.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol designed specifically for transferring files between a client and a server over a TCP/IP-based network. FTP allows users to upload, download, and manage files and directories on remote servers. To establish an FTP connection, the client requires the server's hostname or IP address, along with valid username and password credentials. FTP also supports anonymous access for public file shares where authentication is not required. Transfers can be made in either active or passive mode, with the latter being more commonly used due to firewall and NAT compatibility. FTP is a widely used method for managing website files, software updates, and data exchange between systems.

Internet Protocol (IP) is the principal communication protocol used on the internet for relaying datagrams across network boundaries. It provides a functional interface to connect the lower-level link layer (address resolution) and the higher-level routing functionality within the network layer. IP defines addressing and routing mechanisms to ensure data packets are successfully sent from a source host to a destination host. IPs are categorized into two different versions, IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 utilizes 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses to support a higher number of connected devices.

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a technique used by network devices like routers to enable multiple hosts on a private network with non-routable IP addresses to communicate with the internet. NAT allows the sharing of one public IP address among multiple private IP addresses by modifying the source and destination IP addresses in outgoing packets. This ensures the correct mapping of connections and helps conserve the limited pool of IPv4 addresses. NAT also increases security for the internal network by only exposing the public IP address to external hosts, making it more difficult for attackers to target individual devices on the private network.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is an internet standard for electronic mail (email) transmission across IP networks. SMTP is a text-based protocol that allows client-server applications to send and receive email messages by specifying the message sender, recipient(s), and the content to be sent. Email messages are sent through SMTP servers using a store-and-forward model, where the message is sent from client to server and is temporarily stored on the server until it is sent to the destination server. SMTP uses Port 25 as its default communication port.

Secure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol designed for secure data communication, remote command-line control, and secure file transfers between two networked devices. It is widely used for remote system administration, replacing insecure legacy protocols like Telnet by ensuring necessary confidentiality and integrity for network communications. SSH authenticates the client by exchanging public keys and encrypting data communications between the connected devices. SSH ensures end-to-end encryption and avoids eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, providing a secure channel for network administrators to manage systems and software remotely.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application protocol for exchanging or transferring hypermedia documents, such as HTML, between clients and servers on the internet. It defines how messages and requests are formatted and transmitted, and how web servers and web browsers should respond to various commands. HTTP uses a stateless, client-server model where the web client (browser) sends a request to the server, and the server sends a response back to the client. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an extension of HTTP, where communication between the client and the server is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Socket Layer (SSL), thereby providing a secure browsing experience by ensuring data privacy and integrity.