Internet has become an important part of our lives today, but have you ever wondered how millions of computers located in different parts of the world communicate with each other so easily? The answer lies in TCP/IP, i.e. Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. These are two digital languages that control the entire Internet and ensure that every data transfer happens in an organized manner.
What is TCP/IP?
The easiest way to understand TCP/IP is to think of it as a digital post office. Just as we need an envelope, an address, and a delivery process to send mail, all data on the Internet is packaged in a digital envelope. This envelope contains the addresses of the sender and recipient, and this address is called an IP address.
What is an IP address and how does it work?
When every computer or mobile phone connects to the Internet, it is assigned a unique IP address. This address is either a group of four digits (e.g., 192.168.1.1) or sometimes eight groups of letters and numbers (IPv6). This address is the digital address of your home. When you type “what is my IP address” into Google, you see your IP address. But this address is not always permanent. At home, you get an IP address from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), while in a café or office, a new IP address may be assigned from your Wi-Fi network.
DNS
Now the question arises: When the IP address of a website’s server is so long and complex, how can we access it by just typing google.com or youtube.com? The answer is DNS (Domain Name System). DNS gives websites names that are easy to remember. When your browser opens a website, DNS translates that name into the correct IP address, and your device connects to the correct server.
data transfer technology
When your computer contacts a server, it begins with a three-way handshake. First, the computer asks the server, “Are you ready to connect?” The server responds, “Yes, I’m ready.” Then your computer confirms the connection. Now the exchange of data begins. The data of the website is divided into many small parts. Each part is sent in a separate packet (envelope). These packets are marked with an IP address and a sequence number so that your computer can assemble them in the correct order. As soon as the packet arrives, the computer sends an acknowledgment, indicating that the data has been received and everything is OK. If the server does not receive this response, it resends the same packet.
TCP/IP is the backbone of the Internet, connecting computers around the world with a single language. This ensures that your data, be it email, video or website, reaches its destination securely, in the correct order and on time.