TCP/IP model

Abstract

This chapter gives a brief introduction to the TCP/IP model and the protocols used in each layer. The chapter starts by a historical background about the TCP/IP model and how it all started. The TCP/IP model layers are briefly explained in contrast with the OSI model and its layers. The network access layer is introduced and the flexibility of the TCP/IP model in this layer is also explained. Then, the internetwork layer is explained with brief description of the most important protocols operating in the network layer; IP, ICMP, ARP and RARP, and InARP. The next section provides brief description about the transport layer and the two protocols operating in this layer; TCP and UDP. The last section of this chapter describes the application layer of the TCP/IP model. A brief description of the most commonly used application protocols; HTTP, DNS, FTP and TFTP, SMTP, POP3, and Telnet, is also given.