What are the 7 network protocols?

The 7 Key Network Protocols That Keep the Internet Running

When you load a webpage or send an email, a silent orchestra of network protocols makes it all possible. While there are many protocols at work behind the scenes, a core group forms the foundation of how devices communicate online.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is likely the most familiar—it’s what your browser uses to fetch web pages. Every time you visit a site, HTTP handles the request and response between your computer and the server.

Beneath HTTP, other protocols ensure data arrives correctly and on time. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) breaks information into packets, guarantees delivery, and reassembles data in order. In contrast, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) skips some of those checks for speed, making it ideal for video calls or live streaming where timing matters more than perfection.

IP (Internet Protocol) is the address system of the internet, assigning unique identifiers so data knows where to go. Closely related, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps IP addresses to physical hardware addresses on local networks.

Then there’s ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), used for diagnostics—like when you run a “ping” to test connectivity. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) simplifies network setup by automatically assigning IP addresses to devices when they join a network.

And behind the global routing of internet traffic lies BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), the unsung hero that helps data find the most efficient path across networks—essentially the postal system of the internet.

While no list is exhaustive, these seven protocols—HTTP, TCP, UDP, IP, ARP, ICMP, and DHCP—along with BGP, form the backbone of modern network communication. Together, they quietly power everything we do online, every day.