Web Protocols
=========================

This section explains the protocols that power modern web communication, including request/response models, secure transactions, proxy routing, and real-time interactions between clients and servers.

.. list-table::
   :widths: 15 65 20
   :header-rows: 1

   * - Protocol
     - Description
     - Use Case
   * - HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
     - Foundation of data communication for the web.  
       *Uses request-response model over TCP.*
     - Web browsing, REST APIs, content retrieval.
   * - HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
     - Encrypted version of HTTP using TLS.  
       *Protects data integrity and confidentiality.*
     - Secure websites, online banking, e-commerce.
   * - SOCKS (Socket Secure)
     - Proxy protocol that routes packets between client and server.  
       *Works at lower level than HTTP proxies.*
     - Traffic tunneling, bypassing restrictions.
   * - WebSocket
     - Full-duplex communication channel over a single TCP connection.  
       *Ideal for real-time data exchange.*
     - Chat apps, live feeds, online gaming.
   * - WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)
     - Peer-to-peer protocol for audio, video, and data streaming in browsers.  
       *No need for plugins or third-party software.*
     - Video conferencing, P2P file sharing, browser-based calling.

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1
   :hidden:
   :includehidden:

   HTTP
   HTTPS
   SOCKS
   WebSocket
   WebRTC

.. tab-set::

   .. tab-item:: HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

      **RFC:** RFC 9110 (HTTP/1.1), RFC 9114 (HTTP/3 via QUIC)

      **Main Features:**

      - Stateless request-response protocol
      - Operates over TCP or QUIC (HTTP/3)
      - Supports standard methods (GET, POST, PUT, etc.)
      - Foundation of the modern web

      **Use Cases:**

      - Web browsing
      - REST API calls
      - Static and dynamic content delivery

      **Alternative Protocols:**

      - HTTPS – Encrypted version for secure transmission
      - WebSocket – For persistent, full-duplex communication

      .. panels::
         :container: container pb-4
         :column: col-lg-12 p-2

         **Let us learn more about HTTP:**

         * :ref:`Learnings in this section <HTTP_step1>`

         * :ref:`Terminology <HTTP_step2>`

         * :ref:`Version Info <HTTP_step3>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Version&RFC Details <HTTP_step5>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <HTTP_step19>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <HTTP_step20>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Protocol Packet Details <HTTP_step6>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Usecases <HTTP_step7>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Basic Features <HTTP_step8>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Stateless protocol <HTTP_step9>` 

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Client Server Architecture <HTTP_step10>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Media Type support <HTTP_step11>`  

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Flexible methods <HTTP_step12>`  

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Resource Identification <HTTP_step13>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Extensible Headers <HTTP_step14>`

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Caching support <HTTP_step15>`   

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Secure Communication <HTTP_step16>` 

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Persistent Connections <HTTP_step17>` 

         * :ref:`HTTP Feature : Proxy and Gateway support <HTTP_step21>`

         * :ref:`Reference links <HTTP_step18>`

         .. button-link:: ./HTTP.html
            :color: primary
            :shadow:
            :expand:

            Jump to "HTTP"

.. tab-set::

   .. tab-item:: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

      **RFC:** RFC 9110 + TLS (RFC 8446)

      **Main Features:**

      - HTTP over TLS for encryption
      - Protects against eavesdropping and tampering
      - Authenticates servers (and optionally clients)

      **Use Cases:**

      - Online banking, e-commerce
      - Secure login and authentication forms
      - API security and confidential data exchange

      **Alternative Protocols:**

      - HTTP – For non-sensitive content
      - QUIC – Encrypted and optimized protocol for HTTP/3

      .. panels::
         :container: container pb-4
         :column: col-lg-12 p-2

         **Let us learn more about HTTPS:**

         * :ref:`Learnings in this section <HTTPS_step1>`

         * :ref:`Terminology <HTTPS_step2>`

         * :ref:`Version Info <HTTPS_step3>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Version&RFC Details <HTTPS_step5>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <HTTPS_step19>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <HTTPS_step20>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Protocol Packet Details <HTTPS_step6>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Usecases <HTTPS_step7>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Basic Features <HTTPS_step8>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Encryption <HTTPS_step9>` 

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Data Integrity <HTTPS_step10>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Authentication <HTTPS_step11>`  

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : SecurePort(443) <HTTPS_step12>`  

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Certificate Based Trust <HTTPS_step13>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Protection Against MITM Attack <HTTPS_step14>`

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : SEO and Browser Preference <HTTPS_step15>`   

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Forward Secrecy <HTTPS_step16>` 

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Compatiblity with HTTP <HTTPS_step17>` 

         * :ref:`HTTPS Feature : Required for Modern Features <HTTPS_step21>`

         * :ref:`Reference links <HTTPS_step18>`

         .. button-link:: ./HTTPS.html
            :color: primary
            :shadow:
            :expand:

            Jump to "HTTPS"

.. tab-set::

   .. tab-item:: SOCKS (Socket Secure)

      **RFC:** RFC 1928 (SOCKS5)

      **Main Features:**

      - Works at session layer, not limited to HTTP
      - Supports TCP/UDP relaying
      - Can perform user authentication

      **Use Cases:**

      - Bypassing regional blocks and firewalls
      - Enabling anonymous routing (e.g., with Tor)
      - Tunneling traffic for specific applications

      **Alternative Protocols:**

      - HTTP proxy – Application-layer, web-specific
      - VPN – Encrypts all traffic at network level

      .. panels::
         :container: container pb-4
         :column: col-lg-12 p-2

         **Let us learn more about SOCKS:**

         * :ref:`Learnings in this section <SOCKS_step1>`

         * :ref:`Terminology <SOCKS_step2>`

         * :ref:`Version Info <SOCKS_step3>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Version&RFC Details <SOCKS_step5>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <SOCKS_step19>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <SOCKS_step20>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Protocol Packet Details <SOCKS_step6>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Usecases <SOCKS_step7>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Basic Features <SOCKS_step8>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : Protocol Agnostic <SOCKS_step9>` 

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : Supports TCP and UDP <SOCKS_step10>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : Authentication support <SOCKS_step11>`  

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : IP Address Hiding <SOCKS_step12>`  

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : firewall traversal <SOCKS_step13>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : Domain Name Resolution <SOCKS_step14>`

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : No Content Inspection <SOCKS_step15>`   

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : IPv6 support <SOCKS_step16>` 

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : Flexible Application Use <SOCKS_step17>` 

         * :ref:`SOCKS Feature : Lightweight and fast <SOCKS_step21>`

         * :ref:`Reference links <SOCKS_step18>`

         .. button-link:: ./SOCKS.html
            :color: primary
            :shadow:
            :expand:

            Jump to "SOCKS"

.. tab-set::

   .. tab-item:: WebSocket

      **RFC:** RFC 6455

      **Main Features:**

      - Establishes persistent TCP connection after HTTP handshake
      - Full-duplex, low-latency communication
      - Reduces overhead compared to polling

      **Use Cases:**

      - Live chat and messaging systems
      - Multiplayer online games
      - Collaborative tools and dashboards

      **Alternative Protocols:**

      - HTTP long-polling – Less efficient
      - WebRTC – For P2P media/data communication

      .. panels::
         :container: container pb-4
         :column: col-lg-12 p-2

         **Let us learn more about WebSocket:**

         * :ref:`Learnings in this section <WebSocket_step1>`

         * :ref:`Terminology <WebSocket_step2>`

         * :ref:`Version Info <WebSocket_step3>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Version&RFC Details <WebSocket_step5>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <WebSocket_step19>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <WebSocket_step20>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Protocol Packet Details <WebSocket_step6>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Usecases <WebSocket_step7>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Basic Features <WebSocket_step8>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Full Duplex Communication <WebSocket_step9>` 

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Persistent Connection <WebSocket_step10>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Low Latency <WebSocket_step11>`  

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Light weight Protocol <WebSocket_step12>`  

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Real Time Data Transfer <WebSocket_step13>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Cross Platform Support <WebSocket_step14>`

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Firewall Friendly <WebSocket_step15>`   

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Binary and Text Support <WebSocket_step16>` 

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Built in Ping Pong Frames <WebSocket_step17>` 

         * :ref:`WebSocket Feature : Protocol Upgrade from HTTP <WebSocket_step21>`

         * :ref:`Reference links <WebSocket_step18>`


         .. button-link:: ./WebSocket.html
            :color: primary
            :shadow:
            :expand:

            Jump to "WebSocket"

.. tab-set::

   .. tab-item:: WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)

      **RFC:** RFC 8825–8832

      **Main Features:**

      - Peer-to-peer connection for media and data
      - Supports NAT traversal (ICE, STUN, TURN)
      - Built-in media capture and encryption

      **Use Cases:**

      - Browser-based video/audio chat
      - Secure P2P file sharing
      - Real-time collaboration

      **Alternative Protocols:**

      - SIP + RTP – Traditional VoIP stack
      - WebSocket – For signaling or simple data

      .. panels::
         :container: container pb-4
         :column: col-lg-12 p-2

         **Let us learn more about WebRTC:**


         .. button-link:: ./WebRTC.html
            :color: primary
            :shadow:
            :expand:

            Jump to "WebRTC"