TCP/IP Introduction

TCP/IP is a communication protocol used for the Internet (Internet).

Computer communication protocols

Computer communication protocols are descriptions of the rules that computers must follow in order to communicate with each other.

What is TCP/IP?

TCP/IP is a communication protocol for computers connected to the Internet.

TCP/IP refers to Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TTransmission CControl Protocol / Internet Protocol).

TCP/IP defines the standards for how electronic devices (such as computers) connect to the Internet and how data is transmitted between them.

Within TCP/IP

TCP/IP includes a series of protocols used 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 Message Control Protocol) - for errors and status
  • DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - for dynamic addressing

You will learn more about these standards in this tutorial.

TCP uses a fixed connection

TCP is used for communication between applications.

When an application wants to communicate with another application through TCP, it will send a communication request. This request must be sent to a specific address. After a 'handshake' between the two parties, TCP will establish a full-duplex (full-duplex) communication between the two applications.

This full-duplex communication will occupy the communication line between two computers until it is closed by one or both parties.

UDP and TCP are very similar, but simpler and less reliable than TCP.

IP is connectionless

IP is used for communication between computers.

IP is a connectionless communication protocol. It does not occupy the communication line between two communicating computers. This reduces the demand for network lines. Each line can meet the communication needs of many different computers at the same time.

Through IP, messages (or other data) are divided into small independent packets and transmitted between computers over the Internet.

IP is responsible for routing each packet to its destination.

IP Router

When an IP packet is sent from a computer, it will reach an IP router.

The IP router is responsible for routing this packet to its destination, either directly or through other routers.

In the same communication, the path a packet takes may be different from that of other packets. Routers are responsible for correctly addressing based on traffic, network errors, 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 splitting the data and packing it into IP packets, and then reassembling them when they arrive.

IP is responsible for sending packets to the recipient.