Get to Know What TCP/IP is, What it Does, and How it Works

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol or TCP/IP is a protocol that is useful for exchanging data between connected devices. In short, you can link the TCP/IP to a bridge connecting two or more devices in the internet network to enable data exchange.
 

Also read: What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

Two protocols are used in the data exchange process: TCP and IP. Both protocols are used to send and receive data safely and smoothly.

The development of the TCP/IP protocol began in the late 1970s. At that time, TCP/IP became a standard protocol that connects several computers and networks into a vast network area. This network area became known as a Wide Access Network (WAN).

There are two characteristics of TCP/IP, namely independent and routable. TCP/IP is a separate open network standard to use anywhere. The addressing scheme is also simple, using IP addresses that can connect hundreds of millions of computers on the internet. 

Another characteristic of TCP/IP is that it is routable. TCP/IP can connect many devices with different operating systems (OS).

Four layers will be used for the TCP/IP protocol data exchange process. What are they?

1. Datalink Layer

First, the data link layer manages the process of sending and receiving data between devices in the network. This layer helps regulate the characteristics that hardware must have to exchange data. These settings include using ethernet, network interface, or wireless networks.

Also Read: Understanding What is Data Security: Definition and Benefits for Your Company
 

2. Transport Layer

Next, there is the transport layer. This layer is responsible for providing a smooth connection to the device that you will use. The data sent is then divided into packets and numbered sequentially. Then, the transport layer will determine the amount of data, the destination, and the speed at which it needs to be sent. In essence, the transport layer must ensure that no errors occur in data transmission.
 

3. Internet Layer

Third, there is the internet layer, which functions to transmit packets from the network and manage the movement of these packets. The internet layer also ensures that the packets sent reach the right destination. In the process, the internet layer uses procedures to send data to the devices available throughout the network.
 

4. Application Layer

Finally, there is the application layer, which connects each device to communicate with each other. This type of layer is active when a user uses an internet service such as e-mail or a chat platform. This layer is used in TCP/IP and other protocols such as SMTP, TELNET, FTP, DNS, HTTP, and many more.

 

How the TCP/IP Protocols Works

 

• Internet users send text or other data to the destination device. Here is where TCP/IP comes into play.
• TCP divides the text into small data packets and then adds information to keep the data safe until it reaches the destination device. Meanwhile, IP adds a label with the destination address information to the data packet. You can analogize this to the process of shipping goods.
• Each trim package is sent to the same destination but uses a different communication path. In this process, there is a device called a router. 
• It determines the efficient path to send the data packets and manages internet traffic. In addition, routers are also helpful in dividing the data load so that it does not overload.
• The computer un-labels the attached IP address once the TCP/IP packet arrives at the destination device. The information from the TCP protocol is also opened to ensure that the packet remains safe and that no damage occurs in the process. 
• If the packet is damaged, the receiving computer will notify the sending computer to retransmit the message or data.
• Once checked, the opened packet is reassembled into its original text structure and ready to read by the receiver.
• A gateway device then translates the original computer network protocol into TCP/IP and vice versa.