Internet Protocol Suite
The Internet Protocol Suite, commonly known as the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack, is a set of communication protocols used for networking on the Internet. It provides the foundation for data communication and networking in various systems, enabling devices to communicate and exchange data across interconnected networks. The suite consists of multiple protocols, each serving a specific purpose in the communication process. The Internet Protocol Suite is organized into four abstraction layers:
- Link Layer (or Network Interface Layer):
This layer deals with the physical connection between devices on the same network.
It includes protocols that define how data is framed for transmission over a specific physical medium, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Examples include Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11), and PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol).
- Internet Layer:
The Internet Layer handles the addressing and routing of data packets between devices on different networks.
The core protocol in this layer is the Internet Protocol (IP), which provides logical addressing (IPv4 or IPv6) for devices on the network.
Other protocols in this layer include Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP).
- Transport Layer:
The Transport Layer is responsible for end-to-end communication between devices and ensures data integrity and reliability.
The two primary protocols in this layer are Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
TCP provides reliable, connection-oriented communication, while UDP offers faster, connectionless communication.
- Application Layer:
The Application Layer contains protocols that support network applications and end-user services.
It includes a wide range of protocols for specific applications, such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for web browsing, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for email, and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for file transfer.
This layer is where most user interactions with the network occur.
The Internet Protocol Suite forms the basis for communication on the Internet and has become a standard model for network communication. It enables interoperability between diverse hardware and software systems, allowing them to communicate seamlessly across a global network.