SMTP: (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

This protocal is used to send mail across the net. There are other agreed upon internet protocols such as Eudora's--Post Office Protocol, and Microsoft Mail, but for now I will focus on SMTP since this is what my Client uses.

Usually you never have to see the technicalities of SMTP. Its as easy as clicking an icon and all the real work is done behind the scenes.

Telnet:

Telnet is a TCP/IP protocol that allows users to access remote computers. You must have a Telnet client (NSCA Telnet...)to launch a session. The client will recquire that you specify the computer you wish to connect to by either its domain name, (ex: www3.miracosta.cc.ca.us) or the IP address (ex. 192.215.58.240). If you use the domain name, it is paired up with its IP address. You will also need to have an existing user account on the remote computer to use the resources. You could in fact use Port 25 for an Email session (SMTP mailserver port).

A couple of examples of what you might use the Telnet Protocol for:

1. Accessing library automation systems

2. Another example might be to play internet games such as Muds, Moos, Mushes...

*Once you telnet into a remote computer you are using the functions of that machine. In this text based environment you are restricted to knowing the commands of the computer including how to quit the Telnet session.*

WWW: (World Wide Web)

The WWW is a means for accessing HTML documents (Websites) on the Internet HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) makes this all possible. It is another TCP/IP protocol. It allows for the actual request of HTML documents. In order to make a request for a URL (Universal Resource Locator), you will need a browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer, NCSA Mosaic...).

To connect to the WWW, your client (browser) would have to make an HTTP request to a WWW server.

Example:

You want to connect to my Multimedia Site. In Netscape you could click on FILE, Then go to Open Location, Type www3.miracosta.cc.ca.us/fmigliori in the given dialog box, Click OK. As soon as you click or hit return the client makes a HTTP request searching for the appropriate Domain Name Server. When it finds the remote server computer. It speaks TCP/IP to deliver the HTTP request. The server then translates the HTTP request from your client and returns the desired HTML file which will be interpreted by the browser.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP is yet another TCP/IP Protocol. It is designed to move files from one computer to another. Mainly large files like software applications, or video games... FTP is especially important for all of us webpage designers out there. Lets say you are at home on the internet, and the server which your page resides on is at work. You go into your site and low and behold there is this horrendous spelling error. You want to fix it immediately. You correct the file, but now you must replace the old file on the server which the page resides. Using ,FTP you can do this in a matter of seconds. Your new file is on the web for all to see. If you didn't have an FTP Client you would most likely have to: