Activity Title: "Exploring the Application Layer of the TCP/IP Model"

Name: Rocas, Ron Iverson C. Date: 19/10/2023

Section: IT301

Description: In this activity, you will delve into the Applica*on Layer of the TCP/IP model, which is a
fundamental part of computer networking. The Applica*on Layer is responsible for various application-level
protocols and services that allow users and applications to communicate over the internet. This assignment
will help you gain a deeper understanding of the functions and protocols opera*ng at the Applica*on Layer.

Tasks:

1. Protocol Analysis: Choose three key Applica*on Layer protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP) and provide a
detailed analysis of each. Explain the purpose of the protocol, the type of data it handles, and how it
functions within the TCP/IP stack.
ANSWER:
Post Office Protocol

Post Office Protocol is a protocol used to obtain email from a mail server, hence its purpose. Email
clients are able to download messages from the server and save them locally on the user's device thanks to
this feature. Post Office Protocol’s type of data mainly deals with email messages and associated metadata.
Post Office Protocol communicates using TCP at the Application Layer. When an email client establishes a POP
connection to a mail server, it receives messages that are already present on the server and, in the case of the
default configuration, also deletes them.

Internet Message Access Protocol

Internet Message Access Protocol is a different email retrieval mechanism. Internet Message Access
Protocol is better for accessing email from numerous devices while maintaining message synchronization than
Post Office Protocol because it lets users access and manage their email messages on the mail server. Email
messages, folders, and related data are all handled using Internet Message Access. Internet Message Access
uses TCP and operates at the Application Layer like Post Office Protocol within the TCP/IP stack. It makes it
feasible for users to access the same mailbox from several devices while still maintaining the messages on the
server.

Domain Name System

The Domain Name System protocol is essential for converting human-friendly domain names into IP
addresses. It is important and essential for finding and locating resources online or on the internet. Domain
name to IP address mappings is what Domain Name System is usually used for. Domain Name System
communicates via both TCP and UDP at the Application Layer. Your web browser sends a DNS query whenever
you enter a URL so that it can convert the domain name into an IP address and connect to the right web server.
 2. Web Application Communication: Select a well-known web application (e.g., a social media platform,
ecommerce site, or a news website) and analyze the communication process between the client and
server. Explain the role of Application Layer protocols in making the application work.
ANSWER:

Facebook
Your device and Facebook's servers communicate while you use Facebook. Application Layer protocols,
which are analogous to the internet's language, enable this communication.

Between the user’s device and Facebook's servers, Hypertext Transfer Protocol or Hypertext Transfer
Protocol Secure protocols operate as a messenger. When the user sends a HTTP/HTTPS query like as "show me
my timeline or newsfeed”, then Facebook's servers will react with the data the user requested such as allowing
the user to see their news feed and timeline. HTTPS makes sure that the users’ data is transmitted securely,
preventing eavesdroppers from viewing the user’s data and violating their privacy.

JavaScript, CSS, and HTML resemble the foundational elements of the Facebook website. JavaScript
adds interactivity like allowing the user to like a post or comment, CSS makes it look attractive and stylish, and
HTML organizes the content the user view like posts and photographs.

Application Programming Interfaces enable Facebook interaction with other apps. APIs enable "Login
with Facebook" on other websites and applications. They enable connections between third-party apps and
the user’s Facebook account.

3. Email Communication: Investigate how email communication works at the Application Layer. Explain
the role of SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and other relevant protocols in sending and receiving
emails. Discuss any security considerations for email communication.
ANSWER:

Application Layer protocols, such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol for sending emails and Internet
Message Access Protocol for receiving them, are used in email communication. Internet Message Access
Protocol lets you access, manage, and synchronize messages across many devices by retrieving them from the
email server, whereas Simple Mail Transfer Protocol handles the transfer of outgoing messages from your
email client to the email server. Emails can contain attachments and a variety of content kinds because
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions makes this possible. Security is a major concern, and measures like
encryption, sender authentication, spam and malware filters, strong password practices, and compliance with
data privacy laws all work together to protect the confidentiality and integrity of email messages.
 4. Network Application Development: Imagine you are developing a network application that operates at
the Application Layer. Describe the purpose of your application, the protocols you would use, and how
it would interact with lower layers of the TCP/IP model. Provide a basic code snippet or pseudocode to
demonstrate the communication process.

ANSWER:

Our network application's primary function is to enable real-time text messaging between users. It
functions as a simple chat program. For dependable message transport, we'll employ the transport Control
Protocol (TCP). Our program controls the chat interface and message handling at the application layer. At the
Transport Layer, the TCP protocol controls connections, ensures message delivery, and sets up data
transmission. Routing is handled by the Network Layer (such as IP), whereas the Link Layer controls the actual
physical data transmission over the network.

# Client-side pseudocode
import socket;

# Create a socket
client_socket = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM);

# Connect to the server

client_socket.connect(('server_ip_address', 12345))

while True:
message = input("Enter your message: ") # This will get the user input
client_socket.send(message.encode()) # This will send the message to the server
received_message = client_socket.recv(1024) # This will receive messages from the server
print("Received: " + received_message.decode()) # This will display received messages

5. Security and Encryption: Discuss the importance of security in Application Layer communication.
Explore how encryption and security measures are implemented to protect data and user privacy.
Describe how SSL/TLS and other security protocols are used to secure web communication.

ANSWER:
Data integrity, privacy, and security must all be protected during application layer interactions. A crucial
security mechanism that ensures data is jumbled and unreadable to unauthorized parties is encryption, such
as that offered by SSL/TLS. Additionally, SSL/TLS verifies the legitimacy of websites, giving users confidence.
Other protocols, such HTTPS, SSH, and S/MIME, provide secure email, network access, and web
communication, respectively. These security measures provide secure and private communication over the
internet by preventing unauthorized access, data tampering, and cyber dangers.
 6. Report: Create a report summarizing your research and analysis. Use diagrams, examples, and case
studies to support your findings and explanations.

SUMMARY OF REPORT

The evolution of network applications, email communication, web apps like Facebook, and the Application
Layer in networking are all topics covered in this paper. Additionally, it addresses the significance of
encryption, SSL/TLS, and other security mechanisms in Application Layer communication.

1. Protocol Analysis
The POP, IMAP, and DNS application layer protocols are examined in this section. Email retrieval is
handled by POP and IMAP, while DNS turns domain names into IP addresses, which are necessary for finding
resources online.

2. Web Application Communication

This section demonstrates how Application Layer protocols, such as HTTP/HTTPS, organize web
communication using Facebook as an example. APIs, CSS, and JavaScript improve functionality.

3. Email Communication
Email communication is dissected, focusing on SMTP, IMAP, and POP. Security measures, like encryption
and authentication, are discussed to ensure confidentiality and integrity.

4. Network Application Development

SMTP, IMAP, and POP are the main topics of the examination of email communication. Security
practices like encryption and authentication are investigated in order to guarantee confidentiality and integrity.

5. Security and Encryption

With SSL/TLS and other security protocols providing data privacy and integrity, the importance of
security in Application Layer communication is emphasized.

Conclusion
Understanding Application Layer communication and security measures is essential for secure
information transmission in a world where data security and privacy are crucial.
Submission Guidelines:
• Submit your report in a .pdf format with a file name : “Surname” – Applica*on Layer.
• Include proper citations and references for any sources used in your research.
• Ensure that your submission is well-organized and free of spelling and gramma*cal errors.

Grading Criteria: Your ac*vity will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• The quality and depth of research on Applica*on Layer protocols and their func*onali*es.
• Clarity and comprehensiveness of the analysis of web and email communica*on.
• Understanding of security and encryp*on mechanisms at the Applica*on Layer.
• Crea*vity and feasibility of the network applica*on development.
• Overall presenta*on and organiza*on of the report.

This assignment aims to deepen your understanding of the Applica*on Layer in the TCP/IP model and its
significance in network communica*on. Good luck!