Introduction to TCP/IP
TCP/IP is the communication protocol used for the Internet.
Computer Communication Protocol
A computer communication protocol describes the rules that computers must follow to communicate with each other.
What is TCP/IP?
TCP/IP is the communication protocol for computers connected to the Internet.
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
TCP/IP defines how electronic devices (such as computers) connect to the Internet and how data is transmitted between them.
Inside TCP/IP
TCP/IP includes a series of protocols for handling data communication:
- TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - Communication between applications
- UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - Simple communication between applications
- IP (Internet Protocol) - Communication between computers
- ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) - Error and status reporting
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - Dynamic addressing
TCP Uses Fixed Connections
TCP is used for communication between applications.
When an application wants to communicate with another application via TCP, it sends a communication request. This request must be sent to a specific address. After a "handshake" between the parties, TCP establishes a full-duplex communication between the two applications.
This full-duplex communication will occupy the communication line between the two computers until it is closed by one or both parties.
UDP is similar to TCP but simpler and less reliable.
IP is Connectionless
IP is used for communication between computers.
IP is a connectionless communication protocol. It does not occupy the communication line between the two computers that are communicating. This reduces the demand for network lines. Each line can meet the communication needs of many different computers.
Through IP, messages (or other data) are divided into small, independent packets and transmitted over the Internet between computers.
IP is responsible for routing each packet to its destination.
IP Routers
When an IP packet is sent from one computer, it reaches an IP router.
The IP router is responsible for routing the packet to its destination, either directly or through other routers.
In the same communication, the path taken by a packet may be different from that of other packets. Routers are responsible for correct addressing based on traffic, errors in the network, or other parameters.
TCP/IP
TCP/IP means that TCP and IP work together.
TCP is responsible for communication between application software (such as your browser) and network software.
IP is responsible for communication between computers.
TCP is responsible for dividing data into IP packets and reassembling them when they arrive.
IP is responsible for sending the packets to the recipient.