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Network protocols

3. TCP / IP

The protocol used for communicating over the internet is called TCP/IP, or "Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol". It has two parts: TCP and IP.

TCP - Transmission Control Protocol

This protocol prepares messages for transmission and reassembles any received messages.

When sending data the TCP rules (protocol) include

  • Dividing the message into packets
  • Adding a sequence number to each packet so the message can be re-assembled
  • Adding extra error-correction information, so errors can be spotted and fixed

When receiving data the TCP rules (protocol) include

  • Examining each packet for errors by using the extra information that was added to it
  • Fixing any errors (if possible) or requesting that the packet be re-sent
  • Spotting missing packets and requesting them to be re-sent
  • If all packets are present, using the sequence number of each packet to re-assemble the message

 

This TCP/IP process is shown in the diagram below.

TCP/IP

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