In today’s digital age, it is essential to understand the basics of networking. In particular, the Transmission Control & Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) forms the basis of the Internet. It also plays a vital role in exchanging information between our devices.
In this article, I will explain what the TCP/IP protocol is and what its features are. First, I will look at its history and structure, and then I will discuss how it works.
What is TCP/IP in Networking?
TCP/IP means the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. So, it is a group of rules that helps computers send data over the Internet.
There are more than 100 protocols in this set. The most popular of these is HTTP/HTTPS.
In addition, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used for address resolution. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is preferred for file transfers.
In addition, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used to send and receive e-mails. Finally, the Telnet protocol is used to access remote computers.
History of Transmission Control Protocol
DARPA developed the Internet Protocol Family in the 1970s. The first studies began with the construction of the ARPANET in 1969. DARPA worked on many data transmission technologies during this period.
In 1972, Robert E. Kahn was hired by DARPA’sDARPA’sation Processing Techniques Office. Kahn worked on satellite and radio wave packet communications. He emphasized the value of these forms of communication.
In the spring of 1973, Vint Cerf joined to develop the ARPANET standard. Cerf suggested to Kahn that they create an open interface architecture. The goal was to design new ARPANET protocols.
Kahn and Cerf made significant changes in the summer of 1973. They used a new set of rules to hide the differences between network protocols. Also, the network no longer had to make sure messages were delivered correctly.
The work of Hubert Zimmerman and Louis Pouzin, the creators of the CYCLADES network, influenced Cerf. The design of this network greatly influenced his work.
Computers called routers send datagrams between networks. The requirements for these routers are defined in RFC 1812.
Cerf’s researchCerf’s73-1974 led to the first TCP specification. A research group at Stanford University implemented this process in detail.
DARPA made different versions of the standard for various types of hardware. BBN Technologies, Stanford, and College London University helped with this work.
As a result, four versions were developed: TCP v1, v2, v3 and IP v3. Later, v4 was stabilized and is still the standard protocol.
In 1975, the first communication test was conducted between Stanford University and University College London. In 1977, another test was conducted in the USA, England, and Norway.
Between 1978 and 1983, several TCP/IP prototypes were developed. ARPANET completely switched to this standard on January 1, 1983.
In March 1982, the US Department of Defense made this protocol the standard for military networks. In 1985, the Internet Administration Center held a meeting to improve the standard.
Kahn and Cerf were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 10, 2005, for their contributions to American culture.
Finally, on January 1, 2020, the TCP/IP family turned 37 years old.
TCP Packet Structure
The TCP packet is encapsulated by the TCP header, which specifies routing, such as the addresses and destination of the datagram, and consists of the following fields:
- Port of Source.
- Port of Destination.
- Sequence Number.
- Confirmation Number.
- Data Scrolling.
- A Reserved Field.
- Control Bit.
- Window.
- Checksum.
- Urgency Indicator.
- Options.
- Compensation.
IP Package Structure
Internet Protocol is the standard responsible for classifying and distributing packets. Each incoming or outgoing packet is called a datagram.
IP protocol generates datagrams by encapsulating the load with the sender’s source address and the receiver’s address. So, the datagram consists of the following fields:
- Version.
- Header Length.
- Priority and Type of Service.
- Total Length.
- ID.
- Summary of Indicators.
- Scroll Fragment.
- Time of Life.
- Protocol.
- Checksum.
- Destination Address.
- Options and Fill.
TCP/IP Advantages
This packet is designed for routing and has a high degree of reliability, making it suitable for large and medium networks and business networks.
It is used around the world to connect to the Internet and web servers. It supports standard tools to analyze network performance.
Disadvantages
It is more difficult to configure and maintain than NetBEUI or IPX/SPX; It is also a bit slower in networks with low average traffic volume. However, it can be faster on networks with heavy traffic that many frames need to be routed.
Practical Application
This protocol is used in business networks, such as university campuses and business complexes, in small or home networks where they use many routers and connections to host UNIX computers, and even in mobile phones and home automation.
How Does TCP/IP Work in Networking?
Protocols such as TCP/IP allow computers to communicate over networks. So, these work together to form a protocol stack.
Each standard stack is designed for a specific purpose. For example, the TCP stack combines the application, presentation, and session layers. This stack is known as an application stack.
The TCP application layer structures the data to pass to the transport layer. It also performs the application, presentation, and session operations of the OSI model.
The next layer is responsible for data transfer. This layer ensures that the data sent and received is error-free.
TCP splits the data into small parts and adds a header to each part. This header contains the information needed to reassemble the segments correctly.
The third layer converts the data into IP datagrams. This layer prepares it for delivery by determining the Internet address. The IP family is also known as the network layer.
An IP address and a header are added to each segment. The header contains the IP addresses, the datagram length, and the sequence number.
The packets are broken into smaller pieces. A sequence number is added, and then they are correctly reassembled.
TolgaBagci
Hi, I'm Tolga, a computer expert with 20 years of experience. I help fix computer issues with things like hardware, systems, networks, virtualization, servers, and operating systems. Check out my website for helpful info, and feel free to ask me anything. Keep yourself in the loop about the newest technologies!
