Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is uses to access the Internet. It consists set of protocols developed to establish a network of networks to provide a host with access to the Internet. This protocol is responsible for fully fledged data connectivity and transmitting the data end to end by providing other functions, including addressing, mapping and acknowledgment. The technology is so common that you would rarely refer to somebody use the full name. In other words, in common usage the acronym is now the term itself.

TCP/IP contains four layers, which differ slightly from the OSI model.

TCP/IP functionality is divided into four layers, each of which include specific protocols.

Application layer :-

 

This layer is provides applications with standardized data exchange. Its protocols include the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Transport layer:-

 

This layer is is responsible for maintaining end-to-end communications across the network. TCP handles communications between hosts and provides flow control, multiplexing and reliability. The transport protocols include TCP and User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is sometimes used instead of TCP for special purposes.

The network layer:-

 

This layer is also called the internet layer, deals with packets and connects independent networks to transport the packets across network boundaries. The network layer protocols are the IP and the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), which is used for error reporting.

The physical layer :-

 

This layer is consists of protocols that operate only on a link -- the network component that interconnects nodes or hosts in the network. The protocols in this layer include Ethernet for local area networks (LANs) and the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).

Advantages of TCP/IP

 

TCP/IP is nonproprietary and, as a result, is not controlled by any single company. Therefore, the internet protocol suite can be modified easily. It is compatible with all operating systems, so it can communicate with any other system. The internet protocol suite is also compatible with all types of computer hardware and networks.