TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol — the foundational communication protocols of the internet.
Also: TCP/IP stack · Internet protocol suite
Definition
TCP/IP is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) handles the reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data packets between applications, while IP (Internet Protocol) handles the addressing and routing of those packets. Together, they form the backbone of internet communication, operating across four abstraction layers: network access, internet, transport, and application.
Example
“When you download a file, TCP/IP ensures every packet arrives correctly and in order, retransmitting any lost packets automatically.”
Synonyms
- internet protocol suite
- network protocol stack
- TCP/IP stack
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Related Terms
- ip-address
- udp
- packet
- network-protocol