What is TCP/IP -How TCP/IP Protocol Works?

Internet Protocol Suite is the most accurate name for those protocols which are discussed here. TCP/IP are two protocols that belong to this suite. They are the most frequently used protocols and now it is became a ritual to combine the two name, the TCP and the IP, in order to refer to the family.
Internet is a term that refers to the entire collection of networks. It has regional networks like NYsernet, Arpanet, local networks at research centers and educational institutions and indeed military networks. On behalf of Department of Defense, DDN (Defense Data Network), manages the subnets of them. All networks are inter-connected. If there are no policy or security restrictions on accessing a network hen the data can be shared between the users of all networks. The standards that an internet community adapts for its personal use are internet protocol documents.

The family of protocols is TCP/IP. Few of them provide functions of low level that are required in many applications, including UDP, IP and TCP. Other protocols are dedicated to perform a restricted tasks such as sending emails, finding who is logged in on another system  or transferring files between the computers. Only minicomputers or mainframes were the initial users of TCP/IP. The machines were self-governed and have their own disks. Here are some of the most conventional services performed by the TCP/IP.

1. File Transfer: The FTP (file transfer protocol) is a protocol that allows the user of one computer to send files to another computer. To ensure the security of the FTP data, a user name and a password is prescribed. It is a utility that can be used to access a file that is placed on another system any time. The protocol can be run to copy files to one’s computer so the person can work on personal copy.
   
   
2. Remote Login: The TELNET (network terminal protocol) empowers a user to log in from any other computer system that is available on a network. It is started by a remote session in which a computer is specified to connect with. Anything the user type on one computer is sent to another until the session is finished. The talent program is developed to make the running computer invisible. Whatever is typed is sent to other system without any delay. It mostly functions like a dial up connection. The remote system will be authorized by the use of a user name and a password that can be assigned by the creator of the dial up. The talent program will exit when the user log off the other computer.
   
   
3. Computer Mail: It enables users to send messages to other computers. Those who are interested in using not more than two computers will establish ‘mail file’ on the machines. It is a system by the virtue of which one can add message to the mail file of another user. In the environment of microcomputers, it offers some problems as the micro is not suitable for receiving the computer mail. On sending such mail, the mail software is programmed to open a connection to the computer whose address is described, which is turned off or not running the mail system.
   
   

The computer mail is not supported by the micro-computers, but these services are present in all implementations of TCP/IP. It is interesting to see that these traditional applications are still playing significant role in networks based on TCP/IP. It is observed that the passage of time has changed the way of using networks. The large, self-sufficient computer systems are les popular now. They are now replaced. A number of computers like mainframes, minicomputers, workstations and microcomputers are a part of today’s installations. Such computers are configured for performing exclusive tasks.

A number of people are still interested in remaining confined to just one computer system. For specialized services, the system will call on the net. The server/client model of networking services was thus initiated. A server is the one that is responsible for providing certain services to all systems on a certain network where client is a computer system that asks for the service and makes use of it. The functions of a server and of client can be performed by the same computer. There is no need to have two operating systems.

Here are the kinds of servers typically present in a modern computer setup. Note that these computer services can all be provided within the framework of TCP/IP. Types and functions of servers are already provided.

These protocols are an affective part of the internet suite. The definitions of protocols are not defined as their support is widely available on their commercial installation. However, these protocols are the most effective part of the internet suite. We have listed only a number of simple services provided by the TCP/IP. In case you want to know about extensive functions performed by the TCP/IP, do inform us in the comment section. We hope that the post has helped you in building up an idea on what is TCP/IP and what are its functions.

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