2024-09-10
TCP/IP Protocol Suite: The Foundation of Internet Communication
Deep dive into TCP/IP networking fundamentals, the four-layer model, and how data travels across the internet.
The TCP/IP protocol suite is the backbone of modern internet communication. This comprehensive guide explores the four-layer TCP/IP model, key protocols at each layer, and how data travels from application to wire and back.
The TCP/IP Model
Application Layer
HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, DNS, SMTP - User-facing protocols
Transport Layer
TCP, UDP - Reliable delivery and port addressing
Internet Layer
IP, ICMP, ARP - Routing and logical addressing
Network Access Layer
Ethernet, Wi-Fi - Physical transmission
TCP vs UDP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
✅ Connection-oriented
✅ Reliable delivery
✅ Ordered packets
✅ Error checking
✅ Flow control
Use cases: HTTP, Email, File Transfer
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
⚡ Connectionless
⚡ No delivery guarantee
⚡ No ordering
⚡ Minimal overhead
⚡ Faster transmission
Use cases: Streaming, Gaming, DNS
IP Addressing
IPv4 Addressing
32-bit addresses written as four octets (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
Private Ranges:
10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255 (Class A)
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 (Class B)
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 (Class C)
IPv6 Addressing
128-bit addresses in hexadecimal (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334)
• Vastly larger address space
• Built-in security features
• Simplified header format
• Auto-configuration support
Common Protocols and Ports
HTTP
Port 80
HTTPS
Port 443
SSH
Port 22
FTP
Port 21
SMTP
Port 25
DNS
Port 53
Published on 2024-09-10 • Category: Networking
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