Concept in Definition ABC

We can say that, without it, there would possibly be a global electronic communications network, but without a doubt we could not call it Internet, since the protocol TCP / IP is the heart that allows moving the network of networks, facilitating that all connected devices can locate and dialogue with each other.

The union of two protocols

TCP / IP was born, in fact, from the union of two different protocols: the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP).

TCP was created in 1974 by Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn, and is the protocol in charge of ensuring that the data emitted from a device connected to the network, they will reach their destination and, in addition, they will arrive with the necessary amount of information to establish their order within the communication that you want to get there.

IP works at a slightly lower level than TCP, allowing the creation of a bidirectional connection between the destination and origin of the communication.

On these two protocols, which are always united in tandem and are already inseparable, all the services that the Internet can offer are built, such as HTTP (Web), FTP or Telnet, to name just a few.

The Internet protocol model, in which the TCP / IP binomial is framed, is built following the OSI network model (Open System Interconnection), a structure that defines how communications should be in an electronic data communications network.

Functioning

TCP / IP is based on a premise: the network is unreliable. The information is shredded into packages, small pieces that are put into containers, which contain enough information to reach the destination and rebuild there the message.

In addition, each packet is transported independently of the others, so that if a node intermediate that is being used for communication, falls, the packets can be sent by another road.

For this reason, the Internet is a resistant network that can withstand even natural catastrophes, as long as enough part of the network remains standing to deliver messages.

This versatility also has its legendary part, which says that the protocol and the network were conceived in the United States. United so that they could withstand a nuclear attack by the USSR, with the consequent loss of centers of data. Whether it is true or a lie, the truth is that it is something very plausible ...

Each computer or device connected to the network receives an IP address, consisting of four group of numbers each of which cannot in any case exceed the value of 255, separated from each other by points.

For example, a valid IP address would be 179.17.0.113.

As there are not enough addresses to endow every existing device in the world with a IP address, what is done is a masking system, with public IP addresses and other private.

Thus, for example, router my house has a public IP address, which is the only one that will be shown on the Internet to other devices, but each data packet It will also include an identifier of the specific device to which the packet itself is directed, and which will be identified by the router by its IP private.

And, in my local network and with private IP addresses, I can have my computer laptop, my desktop, my smart TV, my game console, my smartphone,...

The future: IPv6

The version of the IP protocol that we currently use is the fourth, so many times we will see this protocol named as IPv4.

To remedy the deficiencies of this version and to be able to provide each device in the world with a unique IP address, IPv6 has emerged.

If each IPv4 address is made up of 32 bits, the IPv6 addresses are made up of 128 bits, thereby providing 340 sextillion possible addresses (no, don't ask me what number is that because I don't have an idea either) compared to 4,000 million addresses that the IPv4.

IPv6 is currently in the rollout phase, a process that has been going on for years and will take a few more years to come as it is slower than initially anticipated.

Topics in TCP / IP