What is TCP/IP or Internet Protocol
A Summary of the Inter-Networking Technology Driving the WWW
Jan 1, 2009
Network protocols determine how information is transmitted from one network computer to another. This communication is essential to many networking applications, including the Internet, Email and World Wide Web, as well as mobile telephony and home networking.
Network Protocols
The functions governed by protocols include:
- Which computer will transmit first.
- Which computer sent the packet.
- Whose turn it is to transmit.
- Whether or not an error has occurred.
- If there is an error does the entire transmission need to be re-sent.
- If the message is allowed to access applications, and which ones.
- The priority of the packet.
- The way in which data is to be sent - in packets, bits, or blocks and how many.
IP, or internet protocol is the format used to transmit data between computers on the internet. It has also been used in networks that are local (i.e. not interconnected) and in wide-area (WAN) applications.
LAN and WAN
TCP/IP is typically used to transmit between networks, from one LAN to another, or on a WAN. Within a LAN, Ethernet and Token Ring are more common architectures.
IP Addresses
Every network computer using TCP/IP is assigned an address. IP addresses are formatted in 32-bit numeric addresses written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number in the address can be from zero to 255. For example, 0.0.255.255.
Human users do not typically use IP addresses directly, instead entering domain names of the computers they wish to visit. For example, www.suite101.com is a domain name.
Private addresses can be assigned by the network administrator. Using private addresses within an organization can be advantageous by aiding in the protection of network devices from hackers residing outside the firewall who do not know the addresses of devices they would like to reach.
Domain Registrars
Addresses used on the world wide web are governed by registrars and can be assigned to organizations in blocks. ARIN, the American Registry for Internet Numbers assigns numeric IP addresses to organizations in North and South American, the Caribbean and parts of Africa.
APNIC, the Asia Pacific Network Information Center manages IP addresses for Asia. RIPE, Reseaux IP Europeens manages IP addresses for Europe.
Network Hub
In the home the most common uses of TCP/IP are the wireless network, the VOIP phone, and the network hub.
The network hub will be either a router or a repeater configuration. A repeater expands the boundaries of the existing network by repeating the signal. The router routes the packet to the correct destination, directly or via another router.
Wireless Network or Wi-Fi
Wireless networks use 802.11 technology. They are also known as wireless local area networks - WLANS - or Wi-Fi. The use of Wi-Fi in the home reduces or eliminates the problem of poor cellular service inside buildings.
VOIP Phone
VOIP stands for voice over IP. The VOIP phone is a converged phone system. It uses VOIP technology to convert and compress analog voice data to bits and transmit the data in packets.
As such, the convergence of networking, as enabled by TCP/IP, uses most of the principles and applications of networking technologies that have been discussed in this article.
References:
Annabel Z. Dodd. The Essential Guide to Telecommunications. NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. 2005
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