Internet protocol suite
A framework for organising the set of communication protocols used in the internet and similar networks. Also commonly known as the TCP/IP protocol suite.
The suite is somewhat similar to, but is not necessarily the same, as the OSI model. Originally has four layers in total, namely the:
- network interface layer, including data link and physical interfaces (e.g., Ethernet and wireless LAN);
- internet layer, including interfaces that connect to the internet (e.g., the IP);
- transport layer, including interfaces responsible for transport (e.g., transmission-control-protocol, UDP, and port numbers); and
- application layer, includding applications that use the internet (e.g., HTTP, DHCP, DNS and FTP).
Modern implementations of the TCP/IP protocol suite extends the model to include one more layer, the physical layer, and amends existing layers. The modern suite has five layers in total, namely the:
- physical layer, including how data is physically transmitted (e.g., UTP cables, optical fibre cables and radio frequencies);
- data link layer, including the interfaces transmitting data (e.g., Ethernet and wireless LAN);
- internet layer;
- transport-layer; and
- application layer.