An overview of the theory and use of TCP/IP protocols.
This paper explores TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and how it is the driving force behind the scenes of the Internet and most business networks today. It examines how, even though the name insinuates that there are only two protocols involved, TCP/IP consists of several different protocols. It looks at how these protocols are designed to work together to ensure the transfer of data communications across the Internet so that information arrives the same way it was sent and how they include many important features, such as logical addressing, routing, name service, error and flow control, and applications support.
“The layer above the Network Access layer is the Internet layer, at this layer the most important protocol lies IP. The IP protocol sends the data packets from one to point to another. On a routed network it is not possible to deliver the data by only using its physical address therefore a logical address is needed. The network is organized by a logical addressing scheme, holding logical addresses, and is maintained by the IP protocol at the Internet layer. The logical address is known as the IP address. “The Address Resolution Protocol assembles a table that maps IP addresses to physical addresses. This Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table is the link between the IP address and the physical address burned into the network adapter card” (Casad, Hour 4).”