1 Week 12-14 Lecture v2

Internet Protocols

Introduction to Internet Protocols

The Internet is a vast network of interconnected devices and systems, and it relies on a set of protocols to ensure
smooth communication and data transfer. These protocols define the rules and procedures for data exchange,
ensuring that devices from different manufacturers and operating systems can communicate effectively. In this
lecture, we will explore the fundamental Internet protocols and their roles in enabling seamless communication
over the Internet.

1. TCP/IP Model

The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) model is the foundational framework for the Internet.
It is a set of protocols that define how data is transmitted over the Internet.

The TCP/IP model consists of four layers:

1) Network Interface Layer: This is the physical layer that deals with the hardware and physical transmission
of data. It includes protocols like Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
2) Internet Layer: This layer is responsible for the logical addressing and routing of data packets. The primary
protocol at this layer is the Internet Protocol (IP), which handles the addressing and routing of data packets.
3) Transport Layer: This layer ensures reliable data transfer between devices. The two primary protocols at
this layer are the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
4) Application Layer: This is the layer that contains the protocols used by end-user applications. Examples
include HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol).

2. Internet Protocol (IP)

The Internet Protocol (IP) is the primary protocol responsible for addressing and routing data packets across the
Internet. It operates at the Internet Layer of the TCP/IP model.

▪ IP Versions: The two primary versions of IP are IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 uses a 32-bit address space, which has
limited the number of unique addresses to approximately 4.3 billion. IPv6, on the other hand, uses a 128-
bit address space, providing a virtually unlimited number of addresses.
▪ Addressing: IP addresses are used to uniquely identify devices on the network. IPv4 addresses are typically
written in a dotted-decimal format (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal
format (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
▪ Routing: IP handles the routing of data packets from the source to the destination. Routers, which are
devices that connect different networks, use IP routing tables to determine the best path for data packets.

3. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

▪ The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a connection-oriented protocol that ensures reliable data
transfer between devices. It operates at the Transport Layer of the TCP/IP model.
▪ Connection Establishment: TCP requires a three-way handshake to establish a connection between the
sender and the receiver. This involves the exchange of SYN, SYN-ACK, and ACK packets.
▪ Reliability: TCP guarantees the delivery of data packets in the correct order and without errors. It uses
sequence numbers, acknowledgments, and retransmissions to achieve this.
▪ Flow Control: TCP implements flow control to prevent the sender from overwhelming the receiver with
data. It uses a sliding window mechanism to regulate the amount of data that can be sent before receiving
an acknowledgment.
▪ Error Detection: TCP uses checksums to detect errors in data packets. If an error is detected, the packet is
discarded, and a retransmission is requested.

4. User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

▪ The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a connectionless protocol that operates at the Transport Layer of the
TCP/IP model. Unlike TCP, UDP does not guarantee reliable data transfer.
▪ Connectionless: UDP does not establish a connection before sending data. Instead, it sends data packets,
called datagrams, independently of each other.
▪ Speed and Efficiency: UDP is faster and more efficient than TCP because it does not have the overhead of
establishing and maintaining a connection. This makes it suitable for applications that prioritize speed over
reliability, such as streaming media and online gaming.

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▪ Limited Error Checking: UDP provides minimal error checking compared to TCP. It uses checksums to
detect errors in data packets but does not guarantee the delivery or order of packets.

5. Domain Name System (DNS)

▪ The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical naming system for devices and resources connected to
the Internet. It translates human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses that
devices can use to communicate.
▪ DNS Hierarchy: The DNS hierarchy consists of a series of levels, starting with the root servers at the top.
Below the root servers are top-level domain (TLD) servers, which are responsible for specific domains (e.g.,
.com, .org). Finally, there are authoritative name servers that store the DNS records for specific domains.
▪ DNS Resolution: When a user enters a domain name into a web browser, the browser queries a DNS server
to resolve the domain name to an IP address. This process involves querying the appropriate DNS servers in
a hierarchical manner until the IP address is found.
▪ Caching: DNS servers often cache DNS records to improve performance. This means that subsequent
requests for the same domain name can be resolved more quickly by using the cached information.

Conclusion

Internet protocols are essential for enabling communication and data transfer over the Internet. Understanding the
fundamental protocols, such as IP, TCP, UDP, and DNS, is crucial for comprehending how the Internet operates.
These protocols work together to ensure that data is reliably transmitted, routed, and delivered to the appropriate
devices and applications.

In this lecture, we have covered the basics of Internet protocols and their roles in the TCP/IP model. We have also
explored the specific functionalities of IP, TCP, UDP, and DNS. By mastering these concepts, you will have a solid
foundation for understanding more advanced topics in networking and the Internet.

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