TCP/IP is a set of protocols that enable communication between networks over the internet. Its development dates back to the 1970s when the US Department of Defense designed it as a system to ensure communication between different types of computers on different types of networks. Today, TCP/IP is the foundation for the Internet and all other Wide Area Networks (WANs). It is used to connect different devices using different routers and switches and acts as a common language for the internet.
TCP/IP has come a long way since its inception, and it has acted as the backbone for a lot of real-world networking scenarios. In this article, we will explore some real-world examples of how TCP/IP has been used to provide internetworking:
1. Email Delivery
Emails are sent across the internet using TCP/IP. When you send an email, your email client sends the message to your email server, which then sends the message across the internet to the receiver’s email server. The receiver’s email client then downloads the message from their email server. Email delivery also involves a lot of protocols like SMTP, POP3, IMAP, and others, but TCP/IP is the base for all these protocols.
2. Online Gaming & Streaming
Online gaming involves sending and receiving large amounts of data, and TCP/IP ensures this data gets to its intended destination. It ensures that each player receives the correct notifications and messages from the game servers, enabling seamless gameplay. TCP/IP is also used in streaming, ensuring that media files reach their intended audience continuously.
3. Online Banking
Online banking is another real-world example of how TCP/IP provides internetworking. When you access your bank account online, you are essentially accessing a server that uses TCP/IP to communicate requests and responses. This ensures that your online banking activities are safe and secure.
4. Remote Desktop Sharing
Remote Desktop Sharing is a mechanism that allows you to access files and applications from another computer remotely. TCP/IP provides internetworking in this scenario since it is the base protocol that enables data to be transmitted across the internet. This allows you to work on another computer as if you were working on your own.
In conclusion, TCP/IP is a vital protocol for internetworking across different networks. The internet and all other WANs rely on TCP/IP to enable communication between networks. TCP/IP has proven to be a reliable means of transmitting data across the internet, making it a crucial technology in our daily lives. From emailing to online gaming to online banking, TCP/IP is the technology behind internetworking.