TCP/IP model facts for kids

The TCP/IP model (which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is like a set of rules that helps computers talk to each other over the Internet. Imagine it as a special language and a step-by-step guide for sending information. It has four main parts, or "layers," that work together to make sure your messages, videos, and games travel smoothly across networks.

This model was created in the 1970s by DARPA, a part of the United States Department of Defense. It grew out of an early computer network called ARPANET, which was one of the first big networks and a very important step towards the Internet we use today. Because it's so central to how the Internet works, the TCP/IP model is often called the Internet Model.

The TCP/IP model helps computers connect and share data. It explains how data should be put together, where it needs to go, how it travels, and how it's received at its final stop. Different rules, called protocols, exist for various types of communication services between computers.

What Is the TCP/IP Model?

The TCP/IP model is a way to understand how the Internet works. It breaks down the complex process of sending data into smaller, easier-to-manage steps. Each step, or layer, has a specific job. Think of it like building a sandwich: each layer has its own ingredients and purpose, but they all come together to make the final product.

This model was developed around the same time as another model called the OSI model. While they are different, the TCP/IP model was influenced by the OSI model. This is why some of their layers have similar names.

The Four Layers of TCP/IP

The TCP/IP model has four main layers. Each layer handles a different part of sending and receiving information online.

Application Layer

This is the layer you interact with directly. It's where your apps and programs, like web browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox), email programs, and messaging apps, work. When you send an email or visit a website, the application layer prepares your data for sending. It uses protocols like:

• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for websites.
• SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for email.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for sending files.

Transport Layer

The transport layer makes sure that data gets from one program to another. It breaks your data into smaller pieces called "segments" and adds information to make sure they arrive correctly. The two main protocols here are:

• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): This is like a reliable mail service. It makes sure all data segments arrive in the right order and asks for missing ones to be resent. It's used for things that need to be perfect, like downloading files or sending emails.
• UDP (User Datagram Protocol): This is faster but less reliable. It sends data without checking if every piece arrived. It's good for things where speed is more important than perfection, like video streaming or online gaming, where a lost frame or two won't ruin the experience.

Internet Layer (or IP Layer)

This layer is like the postal service of the Internet. Its main job is to send data packets (the smaller pieces of data from the transport layer) across different networks. The most important protocol here is:

• IP (Internet Protocol): This gives every device on the network a unique address, called an IP address. It's like a street address for your computer. IP then figures out the best path for the data packets to travel from the sender to the receiver, even if they are on different networks around the world.

Link Layer (or Network Access Layer)

This is the lowest layer, closest to the actual hardware. It handles how data is physically sent and received over the network cable or Wi-Fi. It deals with things like:

• Turning data into electrical signals or radio waves.
• Controlling access to the physical network medium.
• Using MAC addresses (Media Access Control) to identify devices on a local network.

Who Manages TCP/IP?

The TCP/IP model and its related rules are looked after by a group called the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). They are a large international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers who work together to make the Internet better and keep it running smoothly.

Images for kids

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  Diagram of the first internetworked connection

See also

In Spanish: Familia de protocolos de internet para niños