The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocol is divided into four layers. Each layer controls a specific part of the communication process. The different layers represent data in a way that diverse hosts are able to read it. Due to being layered, TCP/IP offers a highly efficient suite of protocols and is the preferred method in use today. Other methods don't offer the same functionality and flexibility as TCP/IP.
The network interface layer concentrates on the physical details of a system, such as the hardware and software used, in order to deliver data to other devices. It must know these details in order to format data correctly. The technologies used in this layer can be LAN or WAN based.
The internet layer is the most important layer in the TCP/IP suite. It consists of three main protocols. Internet Protocol (IP) is responsible for addressing and routing packets between networks, and also ensures the delivery of packets. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) obtains hardware address and matches them to IP addresses if the destination computer is on the same network. The Internet Control Management Protocol (ICMP) is used to test TCP/IP networks, report errors and send messages regarding packet delivery.
The transport layer provides communication between the source and destination nodes on the network. It also breaks application layer information into packets. It uses two protocols to achieve its goal: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). TCP is connection-orientated, whereas UDP is connectionless.
The application layer includes all the applications that make use of the transport layer protocols in order to send or receive data. Many TCP/IP services are run at this level, such as HTTP, FTP, and SMTP.
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