TCP/IP Explained

What is TCP/IP?

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the fundamental communication language of the internet. It's a suite of protocols that governs how data is exchanged between devices on a network.

Think of it like a postal system for data. Each packet of data is addressed and routed to its destination.

Layers of TCP/IP

The TCP/IP model is divided into four layers:

Application Layer: This is the layer that users interact with. Examples include HTTP, FTP, SMTP.
Transport Layer: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) provides reliable, connection-oriented communication, while UDP (User Datagram Protocol) offers faster, but less reliable, communication.
Internet Layer: IP (Internet Protocol) handles addressing and routing of data packets across networks.
Network Access Layer: This layer handles the physical transmission of data over a network (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi).

Key Concepts

IP Addressing: Each device on a network has a unique IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
Packets: Data is broken down into small units called packets.
Routing: Packets are forwarded to their destination by routers.
Ports: Used to identify specific applications or services running on a device.

Resources

Learn more about TCP/IP: