The foundational communication protocols that power the Internet.
The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the Internet. It is named after two of its most important protocols: TCP and IP.
Unlike the OSI model, TCP/IP uses a simpler four-layer model: Link Layer, Internet Layer, Transport Layer, and Application Layer. These layers correspond roughly to the OSI model but are more practical for real-world implementation.
The Internet Protocol (IP) is responsible for addressing and routing packets between networks. It provides a connectionless service, meaning it doesn't establish a connection before sending data.
The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications. It establishes a connection before data transfer and ensures all data is received correctly.
Other important protocols in the TCP/IP suite include UDP (User Datagram Protocol), which provides a connectionless service for applications that don't require the reliability of TCP, and ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), which is used for error reporting and diagnostics.