Introduction to TCP/IP Model

The TCP/IP model is a part of the Internet Protocol Suite. This model acts as a communication protocol
for computer networks and connects hosts on the Internet. It is a concise version of the OSI Model and
comprises four layers in its structure.

This concept of TCP/IP is not just important for people in the computer or IT fields but also is an
essential part of the ​Computer Knowledge​ syllabus, included in major competitive exams.

Before, diving deep into the different aspects of the structure, refer to the table below and know about
some basic and introductory features of the model:

Basics of TCP/IP Model

Full-Form Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet

Protocol

Developed By Department of Defence (DoD), United

States

Developed in During the 1970s

Year for acknowledgement as a standard protocol by 1983

ARPANET

Function of TCP Collecting and Reassembling Data

Packets

Function of IP Sending the Data Packets to the correct

destination

Number of Layers in TCP/IP Model 4 layers

History and Development of TCP/IP Model

This protocol is a result of the research and development by the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) during the 1960s. Given below are a few points which had played an important role in
the advancement of the TCP/IP model:
● A two-network TCP/IP communications test was conducted between Stanford and University
College London in 1975
● An important thing which resulted in promoting this model was when the US Department of
Defense declared TCP/IP as the standard for all military computer networking. This was In
March 1982
● In 1983, this structured protocol was adopted by ARPANET as a standard protocol
● Later on other Computer and IT companies including IBM, DEC, etc. had also adapted the
TCP/IP model as their standard communication protocol
 ● In 1989, the University of California has accepted the TCP/IP code for public domain

Gradually, this Internet protocol suite or the TCP/IP model was accepted across the globe as a
comprehensive framework for computer networking and Internet communication.

The TCP/IP model is considered to be similar to the Open Systems Interconnection Model. However,
the framework and the structuring of the two was completely different and Transmission Control
Protocol/ Internet Protocol was released prior to the OSI Model. For a detailed difference between the
two, candidates can visit the ​Difference Between TCP/IP and OSI Model​ page.

Computer Abbreviations Components of Computer

Computer Virus Important Computer-related Terms

Microsoft Windows Microsoft Office

Layers of the TCP/IP Model

Unlike the ​OSI model​ which comprises seven layers, the TCP/IP model is structured with four different
layers. These four layers are:
1. Network Access Layer
2. Internet Layer
3. Host to Host Layer
4. Application Layer
Now, let us discuss each of these four layers in detail along with their functions as a part of the protocol
architecture.

1. Network Access Layer

● This is the bottom-most layer of the TCP/IP model architecture
● It is a combination of the Data Link and Physical Layer of the OSI model
● The physical transmission of data takes place at this layer It breaks the input data into frames
● Once the frames are transmitted by a network, encapsulating the IP datagram into these frames
is done in this layer It ensures the data received is free of errors
● Also, the mapping of IP address into physical address is done here
● Mainly, the function of this layer is to transmit the data between two devices, connected in a
network This layer converts the digital bits into electrical, radio, or optical signals

2. Internet Layer
● It is the second layer of the TCP/IP model and this layer is parallel to the Network Layer of the
OSI Model, in terms of the structure
● Sending the data packets to their destination network is the main function of the Internet layer
● The logical transmission of data takes place at this level
● There are three different protocols used in this layer. These include:
● IP: ​One of the most important protocols as it detects the IP address of a device that is
later used for internetwork connections. It is using this protocol that the path with which
 the data shall be transmitted is decided. There are two common IP versions that are
used, To know the ​difference between IPv4 and IPv6​, visit the linked article.
● ARP:​ It stands for Address Resolution Protocol. The physical address from the IP
address can be determined using ARP.
● ICMP:​ It stands for Internet Control Message Protocol and notification regarding
datagram problems can be sent back to the user using this. Any issue with the network
is immediately notified to the user by ICMP. It can only inform the user about the errors
and cannot rectify the problem
3. Host-To-Host Layer
● This layer is parallel to the transport layer of the OSI Model
● The error-free delivery of data is the main function of this layer
● There are two main protocols present in this layer:
● TCP: ​Another integral part, the Transmission Control Protocol is a reliable
communication protocol. It manager the flow of data, i.e. the sequence and
segmentation of the data
● UDP:​ It is a connection-free protocol which makes it cost-effective but less reliable.
User Datagram Protocol

4. Application Layer
● The topic three layers of the OSI Model: Application, Presentation and Sessions, when
combined together, they perform similar functions as the Application Layer of the TCP/IP model
● node-to-node communication based on the user-interface occurs here
● Multiple protocols are present in this layer, a few common ones have been mentioned below in
brief:
● HTTP:​ Hypertext Transfer Protocol is used to manage the communication between the
server and web browsers
● NTP:​ Network Time Protocol can set one standard time source in our computer, which
enables sync between the server and the user
● TELNET: ​Telecommunication Network is used to have access to files present of the
Telnet network and manage them on internet
● FTP:​ File Transfer Protocol, as the name suggests allows easy transferring of files

Other protocols of Application layer include Network File System (NFS), Secure Shell (SSH), Simple
Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP), etc.

Other Related Articles

Difference Between Search Engine and Web Browser Difference Between WWW and Internet

Difference Between MS Excel and MS Word Difference Between Firewall and Antivirus

Difference Between Virus and Worm Difference Between Firewall and Antivirus