01/12/2024, 13:35 TCP/IP Model - GeeksforGeeks

TCP/IP Model
Last Updated : 05 Aug, 2024

The TCP/IP model is a fundamental framework for computer networking. It

stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, which are the
core protocols of the Internet. This model defines how data is transmitted
over networks, ensuring reliable communication between devices. It consists
of four layers: the Link Layer, the Internet Layer, the Transport Layer, and the
Application Layer. Each layer has specific functions that help manage
different aspects of network communication, making it essential for
understanding and working with modern networks.

TCP/IP was designed and developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) in

the 1960s and is based on standard protocols. The TCP/IP model is a concise
version of the OSI model. It contains four layers, unlike the seven layers in
the OSI model. In this article, we are going to discuss the TCP/IP model in
detail.

TCP/IP model was developed alongside the creation of the ARPANET, which
later became the foundation of the modern internet. It was designed with a
focus on the practical aspects of networking at the time. The lower-level
hardware details and physical transmission medium were largely abstracted
away in favor of higher-level networking protocols.

What Does TCP/IP Do?

The main work of TCP/IP is to transfer the data of a computer from one
device to another. The main condition of this process is to make data reliable
and accurate so that the receiver will receive the same information which is
sent by the sender. To ensure that, each message reaches its final
destination accurately, the TCP/IP model divides its data into packets and
combines them at the other end, which helps in maintaining the accuracy of
the data while transferring from one end to another end. The TCP/IP model
is used in the context of the real-world internet, where a wide range of
physical media and network technologies are in use. Rather than specifying

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a particular Physical Layer, the TCP/IP model allows for flexibility in

adapting to different physical implementations.

Difference Between TCP and IP

Feature TCP (Transmission IP (Internet Protocol)

Control Protocol)

Ensures reliable, ordered,

Provides addressing and
and error-checked delivery
Purpose routing of packets across
of data between
networks.
applications.

Type Connection-oriented Connectionless

Manages data Routes packets of data

transmission between from the source to the
Function
devices, ensuring data destination based on IP
integrity and order. addresses.

No, IP itself does not

Yes, includes error
handle errors; relies on
Error Handling checking and recovery
upper-layer protocols like
mechanisms.
TCP.

Yes, includes flow control

Flow Control No
mechanisms.

Yes, manages network

Congestion Control No
congestion.

Breaks data into smaller Breaks data into packets

Data Segmentation packets and reassembles but does not handle
them at the destination. reassembly.

Smaller, typically 20
Header Size Larger, 20-60 bytes
bytes

Reliability Provides reliable data Does not guarantee

transfer delivery, reliability, or

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Feature TCP (Transmission IP (Internet Protocol)

Control Protocol)

order.

Transmission Yes, acknowledges receipt

No
Acknowledgment of data packets.

How Does the TCP/IP Model Work?

Whenever we want to send something over the internet using the TCP/IP
Model, the TCP/IP Model divides the data into packets at the sender’s end
and the same packets have to be recombined at the receiver’s end to form
the same data, and this thing happens to maintain the accuracy of the data.
TCP/IP model divides the data into a 4-layer procedure, where the data first
go into this layer in one order and again in reverse order to get organized in
the same way at the receiver’s end.

For more, you can refer to TCP/IP in Computer Networking.

Layers of TCP/IP Model

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Application Layer
Transport Layer(TCP/UDP)
Network/Internet Layer(IP)
Network Access Layer

The diagrammatic comparison of the TCP/IP and OSI model is as follows:

TCP/IP and OSI

1. Network Access Layer

It is a group of applications requiring network communications. This layer is
responsible for generating the data and requesting connections. It acts on
behalf of the sender and the Network Access layer on the behalf of the
receiver. During this article, we will be talking on the behalf of the receiver.

The packet’s network protocol type, in this case, TCP/IP, is identified by

network access layer. Error prevention and “framing” are also provided by
this layer. Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) framing and Ethernet IEEE 802.2
framing are two examples of data-link layer protocols.

2. Internet or Network Layer

This layer parallels the functions of OSI’s Network layer. It defines the
protocols which are responsible for the logical transmission of data over the
entire network. The main protocols residing at this layer are as follows:

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IP: IP stands for Internet Protocol and it is responsible for delivering

packets from the source host to the destination host by looking at the IP
addresses in the packet headers. IP has 2 versions: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 is
the one that most websites are using currently. But IPv6 is growing as the
number of IPv4 addresses is limited in number when compared to the
number of users.
ICMP: ICMP stands for Internet Control Message Protocol. It is
encapsulated within IP datagrams and is responsible for providing hosts
with information about network problems.
ARP: ARP stands for Address Resolution Protocol. Its job is to find the
hardware address of a host from a known IP address. ARP has several
types: Reverse ARP, Proxy ARP, Gratuitous ARP, and Inverse ARP.

The Internet Layer is a layer in the Internet Protocol (IP) suite, which is the
set of protocols that define the Internet. The Internet Layer is responsible for
routing packets of data from one device to another across a network. It does
this by assigning each device a unique IP address, which is used to identify
the device and determine the route that packets should take to reach it.

Example: Imagine that you are using a computer to send an email to a

friend. When you click “send,” the email is broken down into smaller packets
of data, which are then sent to the Internet Layer for routing. The Internet
Layer assigns an IP address to each packet and uses routing tables to
determine the best route for the packet to take to reach its destination. The
packet is then forwarded to the next hop on its route until it reaches its

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destination. When all of the packets have been delivered, your friend’s
computer can reassemble them into the original email message.

In this example, the Internet Layer plays a crucial role in delivering the email
from your computer to your friend’s computer. It uses IP addresses and
routing tables to determine the best route for the packets to take, and it
ensures that the packets are delivered to the correct destination. Without
the Internet Layer, it would not be possible to send data across the Internet.

3. Transport Layer
The TCP/IP transport layer protocols exchange data receipt
acknowledgments and retransmit missing packets to ensure that packets
arrive in order and without error. End-to-end communication is referred to as
such. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol are
transport layer protocols at this level (UDP).

TCP: Applications can interact with one another using TCP as though
they were physically connected by a circuit. TCP transmits data in a way
that resembles character-by-character transmission rather than separate
packets. A starting point that establishes the connection, the whole
transmission in byte order, and an ending point that closes the connection
make up this transmission.
UDP: The datagram delivery service is provided by UDP, the other
transport layer protocol. Connections between receiving and sending
hosts are not verified by UDP. Applications that transport little amounts
of data use UDP rather than TCP because it eliminates the processes of
establishing and validating connections.

4. Application Layer
This layer is analogous to the transport layer of the OSI model. It is
responsible for end-to-end communication and error-free delivery of data. It
shields the upper-layer applications from the complexities of data. The three
main protocols present in this layer are:

HTTP and HTTPS: HTTP stands for Hypertext transfer protocol. It is

used by the World Wide Web to manage communications between web
browsers and servers. HTTPS stands for HTTP-Secure. It is a combination
of HTTP with SSL(Secure Socket Layer). It is efficient in cases where the

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browser needs to fill out forms, sign in, authenticate, and carry out bank
transactions.
SSH: SSH stands for Secure Shell. It is a terminal emulations software
similar to Telnet. The reason SSH is preferred is because of its ability to
maintain the encrypted connection. It sets up a secure session over a
TCP/IP connection.
NTP: NTP stands for Network Time Protocol. It is used to synchronize the
clocks on our computer to one standard time source. It is very useful in
situations like bank transactions. Assume the following situation without
the presence of NTP. Suppose you carry out a transaction, where your
computer reads the time at 2:30 PM while the server records it at 2:28
PM. The server can crash very badly if it’s out of sync.

The host-to-host layer is a layer in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection)

model that is responsible for providing communication between hosts
(computers or other devices) on a network. It is also known as the transport
layer.

Some common use cases for the host-to-host layer include:

Reliable Data Transfer: The host-to-host layer ensures that data is

transferred reliably between hosts by using techniques like error
correction and flow control. For example, if a packet of data is lost during
transmission, the host-to-host layer can request that the packet be
retransmitted to ensure that all data is received correctly.
Segmentation and Reassembly: The host-to-host layer is responsible for
breaking up large blocks of data into smaller segments that can be
transmitted over the network, and then reassembling the data at the
destination. This allows data to be transmitted more efficiently and helps
to avoid overloading the network.
Multiplexing and Demultiplexing: The host-to-host layer is responsible
for multiplexing data from multiple sources onto a single network
connection, and then demultiplexing the data at the destination. This
allows multiple devices to share the same network connection and helps
to improve the utilization of the network.
End-to-End Communication: The host-to-host layer provides a
connection-oriented service that allows hosts to communicate with each
other end-to-end, without the need for intermediate devices to be
involved in the communication.

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Example: Consider a network with two hosts, A and B. Host A wants to

send a file to host B. The host-to-host layer in host A will break the file into
smaller segments, add error correction and flow control information, and
then transmit the segments over the network to host B. The host-to-host
layer in host B will receive the segments, check for errors, and reassemble
the file. Once the file has been transferred successfully, the host-to-host
layer in host B will acknowledge receipt of the file to host A.

In this example, the host-to-host layer is responsible for providing a reliable

connection between host A and host B, breaking the file into smaller
segments, and reassembling the segments at the destination. It is also
responsible for multiplexing and demultiplexing the data and providing end-
to-end communication between the two hosts.

Why TCP/IP Model Does Not Have Physical Layer

The physical layer is not covered by the TCP/IP model because the data link
layer is considered the point at which the interface occurs between the
TCP/IP stock and the underlying network hardware. Also, it is designed to be
independent of the underlying physical media. This allows TCP/IP to be
flexible and adaptable to different types of physical connections, such as
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, fiber optics, or even older technologies like dial-up modems.
The physical layer is typically handled by hardware components and
standards specific to the physical medium being used, like Ethernet cables or
radio waves for Wi-Fi.

Other Common Internet Protocols

TCP/IP Model covers many Internet Protocols. The main rule of these
Internet Protocols is how the data is validated and sent over the Internet.
Some Common Internet Protocols include:

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): HTTP takes care of Web Browsers

and Websites.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): FTP takes care of how the file is to be sent
over the Internet.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): SMTP is used to send and
receive data.

Difference between TCP/IP and OSI Model

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TCP/IP OSI

TCP refers to Transmission Control OSI refers to Open Systems

Protocol. Interconnection.

TCP/IP uses both the session and

OSI uses different session and
presentation layer in the application
presentation layers.
layer itself.

TCP/IP follows connectionless a

OSI follows a vertical approach.
horizontal approach.

In the OSI model, the transport layer

The Transport layer in TCP/IP does not
provides assurance delivery of
provide assurance delivery of packets.
packets.

While in the OSI model, Protocols

Protocols cannot be replaced easily in
are better covered and are easy to
TCP/IP model.
replace with the technology change.

TCP/IP model network layer only

Connectionless and connection-
provides connectionless (IP) services.
oriented services are provided by the
The transport layer (TCP) provides
network layer in the OSI model.
connections.

Advantages of TCP/IP Model

Interoperability: The TCP/IP model allows different types of computers
and networks to communicate with each other, promoting compatibility
and cooperation among diverse systems.
Scalability: TCP/IP is highly scalable, making it suitable for both small
and large networks, from local area networks (LANs) to wide area
networks (WANs) like the internet.
Standardization: It is based on open standards and protocols, ensuring
that different devices and software can work together without
compatibility issues.
Flexibility: The model supports various routing protocols, data types, and
communication methods, making it adaptable to different networking
needs.

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Reliability: TCP/IP includes error-checking and retransmission features

that ensure reliable data transfer, even over long distances and through
Aptitude Engineering Mathematics Discrete Mathematics Operating System DBMS Computer Networks
various network conditions.

Disadvantages of TCP/IP Model

Complex Configuration: Setting up and managing a TCP/IP network can
be complex, especially for large networks with many devices. This
complexity can lead to configuration errors.
Security Concerns: TCP/IP was not originally designed with security in
mind. While there are now many security protocols available (such as
SSL/TLS), they have been added on top of the basic TCP/IP model, which
can lead to vulnerabilities.
Inefficiency for Small Networks: For very small networks, the overhead
and complexity of the TCP/IP model may be unnecessary and inefficient
compared to simpler networking protocols.
Limited by Address Space: Although IPv6 addresses this issue, the older
IPv4 system has a limited address space, which can lead to issues with
address exhaustion in larger networks.
Data Overhead: TCP, the transport protocol, includes a significant
amount of overhead to ensure reliable transmission. This can reduce
efficiency, especially for small data packets or in networks where speed is
crucial.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the TCP/IP model is the backbone of modern internet
communication, allowing different devices and networks to connect and
share information reliably. Despite some complexity and security concerns,
its flexibility, scalability, and widespread adoption make it essential for both
small and large networks. Overall, the TCP/IP model is crucial for ensuring
efficient and effective network communication.

Frequently Asked Questions on TCP/IP Model – FAQs

Which IP Addresses Do TCP/IP Work With?

TCP/IP generally works with both the IP that is, IPv4 and IPv6. If you
are using IPv4 or IPv6, it seems that you are already working on TCP/IP

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Model.

How many layers are in the TCP/IP Model?

The TCP/IP Model has four layers:

Network Interface Layer

Internet Layer
Transport Layer
Application Layer

What does each layer do?

Network Interface Layer: Handles the physical transmission of data

over a network.
Internet Layer: Manages the routing of data packets across the
network.
Transport Layer: Ensures reliable data transmission between
devices.
Application Layer: Provides protocols for specific data
communication services on a process-to-process level.

How is the TCP/IP Model different from the OSI Model?

The OSI Model has seven layers, while the TCP/IP Model has four
layers. The TCP/IP Model is simpler and more practical, making it more
widely used in real-world networking.

What are the main protocols in the TCP/IP Model?

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Key protocols include:

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): Ensures reliable data

transmission.
IP (Internet Protocol): Handles addressing and routing of data
packets.
HTTP/HTTPS: Used for web communication.
FTP: Used for file transfers.
SMTP: Used for email communication.

What is the role of IP addresses in the TCP/IP Model?

IP addresses identify devices on a network, enabling data to be routed

to the correct destination.

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