Internetworking Protocol

Internetworking is the process or technique of connecting different networks by using intermediary devices such as routers or gateway devices. It ensures data communication among networks owned and operated by different entities using common data communication and the Internet Routing Protocol.

Protocols are the standard set of rules and procedures for the control of communication in a network. It describes rules to govern the transmission of data over communication networks.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP)

TCP/IP is the protocol used on the Internet. The computers connected to the Internet may be personal computers or mainframes; the computers could have a slow or fast CPU, small or large memory, connected to different networks having slow or fast speed. TCP/IP protocol makes it possible for any pair of computers connected to the Internet to communicate, despite their hardware difference. It has two major components: TCP and IP.

Functions of IP

• Envelops and addresses the data
• Enables the network to read the envelope and forward the data to its destination
• Defines how much data can fit in a single envelope (a packet)

Functions of TCP

• Breaks data up into packets that the network can handle efficiently
• Verifies whether all the packets have arrived at their destination
• “Reassembles” the data

The IP protocol deals only with packets whereas TCP enables two hosts to establish a connection and exchange streams of data. TCP guarantees delivery of data and also guarantees that packets will be delivered in the same order in which they were sent.