📁 File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Definition: FTP is a standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and a
server over a TCP/IP network.
Key Features:
● Architecture: Client-server model.
● Connections:
○ Control Connection: Manages commands and responses (uses port 21).
○ Data Connection: Transfers actual file data (uses port 20).
● Modes:
○ Active Mode: Server initiates data connection.
○ Passive Mode: Client initiates both control and data connections.
● Authentication: Typically requires a username and password; anonymous access is
also possible.
● Security: Standard FTP is unencrypted; secure alternatives include FTPS and SFTP.
🔐 Remote Login: Telnet vs. SSH
Telnet:
● Function: Provides command-line access to remote systems.
● Security: Transmits data in plaintext, making it insecure.
● Authentication: Uses simple password-based authentication.
SSH (Secure Shell):
● Function: Securely accesses remote systems with encrypted communication.
● Security: Encrypts all transmitted data, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.
● Authentication: Supports password and public key authentication methods.
Comparison:
Feature Telnet SSH
Encryption ❌ No ✅ Yes
Authentication 🔑 Password only 🔑 Password & Keys
Security Level 🔓 Low 🔒 High
📧 Email Protocols: SMTP, POP3, IMAP
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol):
● Purpose: Sends emails from a client to a server or between servers.
● Port: 25 (unencrypted), 587 (encrypted).
POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3):
● Purpose: Retrieves emails from the server to the client, typically removing them from
the server.
● Port: 110 (unencrypted), 995 (encrypted).
● Use Case: Suitable for single-device email access.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol):
● Purpose: Allows clients to access and manage emails directly on the server,
supporting multiple devices.
● Port: 143 (unencrypted), 993 (encrypted).
● Use Case: Ideal for accessing email from multiple devices with synchronization.
Comparison:
Protoco Function Storage Device
l Location Support
SMTP Sending Emails Server N/A
POP3 Downloading Emails Client Single
IMAP Managing Emails Server Multiple
🌐 Open Source Web Servers: Apache & NGINX
Apache HTTP Server:
● Architecture: Process-driven; creates a new process or thread for each request.
● Flexibility: Highly customizable with a wide range of modules.
● Use Case: Suitable for dynamic content and complex configurations.
NGINX:
● Architecture: Event-driven and asynchronous; handles multiple requests within a
single thread.
● Performance: Efficient in serving static content and handling high concurrency.
● Use Case: Ideal for high-traffic websites and applications requiring scalability.
Comparison:
Feature Apache NGINX
Architecture Process-drive Event-driven
n
Performance Moderate High
Configuration Flexible Less flexible
🔍 Overview of Search Engines
Definition: Search engines are software systems designed to carry out web searches,
returning a list of results based on user queries.
Core Functions:
1. Crawling: Automated bots (crawlers) scan the web to discover new or updated
pages.
2. Indexing: Collected data is organized into a searchable index.
3. Ranking: Algorithms determine the relevance of indexed pages to user queries,
presenting results accordingly.
Examples: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search.
🧩 Browser Extensions
Definition: Browser extensions are small software modules that customize and enhance the
functionality of web browsers.
Common Uses:
● Ad blocking (e.g., AdBlock Plus).
● Password management (e.g., LastPass).
● Interface customization (e.g., Dark Reader).
● Productivity tools (e.g., Grammarly).
Security Considerations:
● Install extensions only from trusted sources.
● Regularly review permissions and disable or remove unnecessary extensions.
🛠️ Server Management Tools: cPanel & CWP
cPanel:
● Overview: A commercial web hosting control panel providing a graphical interface
and automation tools.
● Features:
○ Domain and DNS management.
○ Email account setup.
○ Database administration.
○ File management.
● Advantages:
○ User-friendly interface.
○ Extensive documentation and support.
○ Widely adopted in the hosting industry.
Control Web Panel (CWP):
● Overview: A free, open-source web hosting control panel for Linux servers.
● Features:
○ User and domain management.
○ DNS configuration.
○ Security settings.
○ Server monitoring tools.
● Advantages:
○ Cost-effective solution.
○ Suitable for users comfortable with Linux environments.
○ Regular updates and community support.
Comparison:
Feature cPanel CWP
Cost Paid Free
User Highly polished Basic
Interface
Support Extensive Community-based
