TCP/IP

TCP/IP is a family of protocols that help the Internet operate. Its name comes from its two most well-known protocols: TCP and IP.

TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol. TCP software transmits data between machines using segments, which are also called TCP packets. The main characteristic of TCP is that it is a reliable protocol, which means that it makes sure that every packet is delivered without requiring any extra code from the programmer. If there is no proof of packet delivery, TCP resends that packet. Among other things, TCP packets can be used to establish connections, transfer data, send acknowledgments, and close connections.

When a TCP connection is established between two machines, a full-duplex virtual circuit, similar to a telephone call, is created between those two machines. The two machines constantly communicate to make sure that data is sent and received correctly. If the connection fails for some reason, the two machines try to find the problem...