Protocol is a pre defined set of rules. When nations conduct business between them then they follow certain rules so that everything proceeds smoothly. Similarly if one computer is communicating with another one then they both must follow a pre defined set of rules called protocol. If they follow the protocol properly then only message will be transferred from one machine to other,regardless of what type of machines they are and what operating systems they run. Communications are possible with the help of a software that can manage the protocol. That software is nothing but TCP/IP.
TCP/IP is a software based communications protocol that provides network services such as remote logins,remote file transfers, and electronic mail. It transfers information from one machine to another. It provides reliable transfer of data. TCP/IP handle errors in transmission.manage the routing of data,manage the delivery of data and control the transmission by the use of predetermined status signals. TCP/IP was designed with layers. TCP/IP responsible for assembling data passed from higher layer applications into standard packets and ensuring that the data is transferred correctly.
TCP/IP is a combination of two protocols transmission control protocol and Internet protocol. Internet protocol is responsible for moving the packets of data assembled by TCP across networks. It uses a set of unique addresses(IP Addresses)for every device on the network to determine routing and destinations. Internet protocol main tasks are addressing of datagrams of information between computers and managing the fragmentation process of these datagrams. The protocol has a formal definition of the layout of a datagram of information and the information of a header composed of information about the datagram. IP is responsible for the routing of a datagram and determines where it will be sent .
IP does not guarantee datagram's delivery. It has no reliability. It simply handles the routing of datagrams. If problem occurs IP discards the packet and generate an ICMP error message to the sender. But TCP takes the charge if problems occur. TCP provides reliable transfer of data. TCP is responsible for ensuring the transfer of a datagram from the source to the destination machine and receive acknowledge receipt of the datagram from the destination machine.
Note: Articles on Windows NT,Windows 2000 Server,Windows 2003 Server will come soon on my blog under the same NETWORKING section.
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