Transport and network layer protocols ensure efficient, reliable, and secure communication between devices in a network.
Two essential protocols in these layers are:
1.) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
TCP operates at the transport layer and provides reliable, connection-oriented communication between devices.
Features and Functions:
- Connection-Oriented: Establishes a reliable connection between the sender and receiver before data transfer.
- Error Checking and Correction: Ensures data is delivered without errors, duplicates, or loss.
- Segmentation and Reassembly: Splits large data into smaller packets (segments) and reassembles them at the destination.
- Flow Control: Regulates the data transmission rate to prevent network congestion.
- Acknowledgments: Confirms the successful receipt of data with acknowledgment messages.
Use Case:
- Commonly used for applications requiring reliable communication, such as web browsing (HTTP), email (SMTP), and file transfer (FTP).
2.) Internet Protocol (IP)
IP operates at the network layer and is responsible for addressing and routing packets across the network.
Features and Functions:
- Addressing: Assigns unique IP addresses to devices to identify the sender and receiver.
- Packet Routing: Determines the best path for data packets to travel from source to destination.
- Connectionless: Each packet is treated independently, with no prior connection setup.
- Fragmentation and Reassembly: Breaks large packets into smaller ones to fit network constraints and reassembles them at the destination.
- Versions: Includes IPv4 (widely used) and IPv6 (supports a larger address space and improved security).
Use Case:
Integral to all internet communications, enabling the delivery of data packets in diverse networks.
