Can you discuss HTTP and HTTPS protocols and describe how they differ from each other?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Technical Example

One of the computer network industry characteristics is its reliance on many different standards and protocols. This is important because it enables users to exchange data and utilize resources across environments with disparate technologies. Vendors create products and applications which conform to the standards and protocols to ensure that their products can easily be integrated into the networks. As a computer network architect, you should be familiar with the standards and protocols and be able to discuss them during an interview.

When answering a question about a specific standard protocol, you should first define it and then discuss its use. It will help if you have researched the organization to understand which standards and protocols they use. This information should be available in the job posting, the company's website, and through discussions you can have with previous and current network architects employed by the organization.

"HTTP, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, defines the standards on how the information is transmitted across the internet. It ensures that web browsers and web servers can communicate effectively and understand the commands issued by the hardware and software used by networks. This is a 'stateless protocol,' so each command acts independently. HTTP resides in the application layer of the TCP/IP model.
HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, also known as Secure HTTP. As designated in the name, this is a secured version of HTTP. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS protocol on top of HTTP to provide additional security by encrypting communications and identifying secure network servers."

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How to Answer: Can you discuss HTTP and HTTPS protocols and describe how they differ from each other?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Computer Network Architect job interview.

15. Can you discuss HTTP and HTTPS protocols and describe how they differ from each other?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

One of the computer network industry characteristics is its reliance on many different standards and protocols. This is important because it enables users to exchange data and utilize resources across environments with disparate technologies. Vendors create products and applications which conform to the standards and protocols to ensure that their products can easily be integrated into the networks. As a computer network architect, you should be familiar with the standards and protocols and be able to discuss them during an interview.

Written by William Swansen on December 14th, 2021

How to Answer

When answering a question about a specific standard protocol, you should first define it and then discuss its use. It will help if you have researched the organization to understand which standards and protocols they use. This information should be available in the job posting, the company's website, and through discussions you can have with previous and current network architects employed by the organization.

Written by William Swansen on December 14th, 2021

Technical Example

"HTTP, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, defines the standards on how the information is transmitted across the internet. It ensures that web browsers and web servers can communicate effectively and understand the commands issued by the hardware and software used by networks. This is a 'stateless protocol,' so each command acts independently. HTTP resides in the application layer of the TCP/IP model.
HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, also known as Secure HTTP. As designated in the name, this is a secured version of HTTP. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS protocol on top of HTTP to provide additional security by encrypting communications and identifying secure network servers."

Written by William Swansen on December 14th, 2021

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