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TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

Definition

TCP/IP is a set of protocols that allows computers to communicate over the internet. It provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data packets.

Analogy

Think of TCP/IP as a postal service for the internet. Just like how the postal service ensures that your mail reaches its destination in order and without errors, TCP/IP ensures that data packets are delivered reliably and in the correct order.

Related terms

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): HTTP is a protocol used for transmitting hypertext over the internet. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted between web servers and clients.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): FTP is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the internet.

DNS (Domain Name System): DNS is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses. It acts like a phone book for the internet, allowing users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names instead of numerical IP addresses.