TCP IP Model
TCP IP Model
In this reading, you will build on what you have learned about the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model, consider the differences between the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) model and TCP/IP model, and learn how they’re related. Then, you’ll
review each layer of the TCP/IP model and go over common protocols used in each layer.
As a security professional, it's important that you understand the TCP/IP model because all
communication on a network is organized using network protocols. Network protocols are a
language that systems use to communicate with each other. In order for two network systems to
successfully communicate with each other, they need to use the same protocol. The two most
common models available are the TCP/IP and the OSI model. These models are a
representative guideline of how network communications work together and move throughout the
network and the host. The examples provided in this course will follow the TCP/IP model.
The TCP/IP model has four layers: network access layer, internet layer, transport layer, and
application layer. When troubleshooting issues on the network, security professionals can
analyze and deduce which layer or layers an attack occurred based on what processes were
involved in an incident.
Internet Protocol (IP). IP sends the data packets to the correct destination and relies on
the Transmission Control Protocol/User Datagram Protocol (TCP/UDP) to deliver them to
the corresponding service. IP packets allow communication between two networks. They
are routed from the sending network to the receiving network. The TCP/UDP retransmits
any data that is lost or corrupt.
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP). The ICMP shares error information and status
updates of data packets. This is useful for detecting and troubleshooting network errors.
The ICMP reports information about packets that were dropped or that disappeared in
transit, issues with network connectivity, and packets redirected to other routers.
Transport layer
The transport layer is responsible for reliably delivering data between two systems or networks.
TCP and UDP are the two transport protocols that occur at this layer.
Application layer
The application layer in the TCP/IP model is similar to the application, presentation, and session
layers of the OSI model. The application layer is responsible for making network requests or
responding to requests. This layer defines which internet services and applications any user can
access. Some common protocols used on this layer are:
Application layer protocols rely on underlying layers to transfer the data across the network.
The TCP/IP model combines multiple layers of the OSI model. There are many similarities
between the two models. Both models define standards for networking and divide the network
communication process into different layers. The TCP/IP model is a simplified version of the OSI
model.
Key takeaways
Both the TCP/IP and OSI models are conceptual models that help network professionals
visualize network processes and protocols in regards to data transmission between two or more
systems. The TCP/IP model contains four layers, and the OSI model contains seven layers.