Transmission Control Protocol | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a key technology^[1] that makes the internet^[2] work. It was introduced by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn in 1974 and detailed in the Request for Comments (RFC) 675. TCP is a set of rules for managing the delivery of data over the internet or other networks. It ensures data travels safely, quickly, and in the right order from one computer^[3] to another. TCP is responsible for creating a connection between computers, maintaining it, and ending it when it’s no longer needed. It also takes care of re-sending any data that gets lost along the way. TCP is used by many internet applications like email^[5], web browsing, and streaming media. It’s also important for managing network performance and security^[4]. TCP’s segment structure, which includes a header and data section, contains important information for data delivery. Despite its many strengths, TCP also has vulnerabilities that need to be managed, like the potential for denial of service attacks.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ technology. Technology, derived from the Greek words meaning craft and knowledge, is a broad term that refers to the tools, machines, and systems developed by humans to solve problems or fulfill objectives. Originating with primitive tools like stone axes and the discovery of fire, technology has evolved significantly throughout human history. It has been instrumental in different eras, from the invention of the wheel and advanced irrigation systems in ancient civilizations to the birth of universities and printing press during the medieval and Renaissance periods. The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century marked a significant shift in mass production and innovation, giving rise to modern technologies like electricity, automobiles, and digital communication platforms. Today, technology is integral to various aspects of life and society, driving economic growth and societal change, while also raising concerns about security, privacy, and environmental impacts. The future of technology is expected to bring even more advancements, with the rise of artificial intelligence predicted to have significant implications for the job market.

2. ↑ internet. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use standardized communication protocols, primarily the TCP/IP, to link devices worldwide. Originating from the term 'internetted' used in 1849, the term 'Internet' was later used by the US War Department in 1945. Its development began with computer scientists creating time-sharing systems in the 1960s and further progressed with the establishment of ARPANET in 1969. The Internet is self-governed, without a central authority, and its principal name spaces are administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It has significantly transformed traditional communication media and has grown exponentially over the years, with internet users increasing 20% to 50% annually. In 2019, over half of the world population used the Internet. The Internet protocol suite, which includes TCP/IP and four conceptual layers, guides internet packets to their destinations. Essential services like email and Internet telephony operate on the Internet. The World Wide Web, a global collection of interconnected documents, is a key component of the Internet.

Transmission Control Protocol (Wikipedia)

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is one of the main protocols of the Internet protocol suite. It originated in the initial network implementation in which it complemented the Internet Protocol (IP). Therefore, the entire suite is commonly referred to as TCP/IP. TCP provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream or octets (bytes) between applications running on hosts communicating via an IP network. Major internet applications such as the World Wide Web, email, remote administration, and file transfer rely on TCP, which is part of the Transport layer of the TCP/IP suite. SSL/TLS often runs on top of TCP.

Transmission Control Protocol
Protocol stack
Abbreviation	TCP
Developer(s)	Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn
Introduction	1974; 50 years ago (1974)
Based on	Transmission Control Program
OSI layer	Transport layer (4)
RFC(s)	RFC 9293

TCP is connection-oriented, and a connection between client and server is established before data can be sent. The server must be listening (passive open) for connection requests from clients before a connection is established. Three-way handshake (active open), retransmission, and error detection adds to reliability but lengthens latency. Applications that do not require reliable data stream service may use the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) instead, which provides a connectionless datagram service that prioritizes time over reliability. TCP employs network congestion avoidance. However, there are vulnerabilities in TCP, including denial of service, connection hijacking, TCP veto, and reset attack.

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