Name: Muhammad Hamad

Father Name: Farid Ullah

Assignment No: 02

Topic: Transport layer

Subject: Computer Networks

Semester: 4th

Deptt: Computer Science

The Transport Layer is the fourth layer in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model of
networking. It is responsible for providing reliable, transparent transfer of data between two devices
(hosts) on a network. Its primary goal is to ensure that data is transferred accurately, efficiently, and in
the correct sequence, despite the possible errors in the underlying physical and network layers.
Responsibilities of the Transport Layer in Networking:
1. Segmentation and Reassembly:
o Segmentation: The transport layer takes large data chunks from the application layer
and divides them into smaller, manageable segments for transmission over the
network.
o Reassembly: When the data reaches the destination, the transport layer reassembles
the segments back into the original data, ensuring that the message is complete and in
the correct order.
o Example: If an application sends a file, the transport layer breaks the file into
segments and assigns sequence numbers to ensure the correct reassembly at the
destination.
2. Connection Control (Connection-Oriented and Connectionless Communication):
o Connection-Oriented Communication: The transport layer can establish a logical
connection between the sender and the receiver before data transmission starts. This
is used in protocols like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), where a three-way
handshake is performed to set up a connection and ensure that both ends are ready to
transmit data.
o Connectionless Communication: Alternatively, the transport layer can send data
without establishing a connection, which is the case in UDP (User Datagram
Protocol). It sends data packets (datagrams) without guaranteeing delivery or
ordering.
o Example: TCP is used for reliable transmission in web browsing (HTTP), while UDP
is used in real-time applications like video streaming or online gaming, where speed
is more important than reliability.
3. Flow Control:
o The transport layer controls the rate of data transmission to ensure that a fast sender
does not overwhelm a slow receiver. This is done through mechanisms like
windowing.
o TCP’s Flow Control: TCP uses a sliding window protocol, where the sender waits
for an acknowledgment (ACK) from the receiver for a certain amount of data before
sending more. This helps prevent network congestion.
 o Example: In TCP communication, the sender adjusts its transmission rate based on
feedback from the receiver to ensure efficient data transfer without overloading the
network.
4. Error Detection and Error Recovery:
o The transport layer is responsible for detecting errors that may occur during data
transmission and ensuring reliable communication by requesting retransmission of
corrupted or lost data.
o Error Detection: TCP uses checksums to detect errors in the transmitted data
segments.
o Error Recovery: When an error is detected, the transport layer retransmits the
affected segments. TCP handles retransmissions through mechanisms like Automatic
Repeat Request (ARQ).
o Example: If a data segment is lost or corrupted, TCP will automatically request the
sender to retransmit the missing or incorrect segment.
5. Multiplexing and Demultiplexing:
o Multiplexing: At the sender’s side, the transport layer takes data from multiple
applications (e.g., web browser, email client) and adds headers (with port numbers)
so that it can be transmitted over the network as distinct data streams.
o Demultiplexing: At the receiver’s side, the transport layer looks at the headers of
incoming segments to determine which application they belong to (based on the port
number) and delivers the data to the correct application.
o Example: When a user is browsing the web (port 80 for HTTP) and checking emails
(port 25 for SMTP) simultaneously, multiplexing and demultiplexing ensure that the
data is correctly sent to the right application.
6. Reliability:
o Ensuring reliable data transmission is one of the most important functions of the
transport layer, especially in connection-oriented protocols like TCP. It ensures that
all data reaches its destination in the correct order, without duplication, and without
loss.
o Acknowledgments (ACKs): TCP uses acknowledgment packets to confirm that data
has been successfully received.
o Retransmission: If an acknowledgment is not received within a certain time, the
transport layer will resend the data, ensuring reliability.
o Example: When downloading a file, TCP ensures that the file is received completely
and in the correct order, even if some data segments are delayed or lost.
7. Port Addressing:
o The transport layer uses port numbers to direct data to the correct application on the
destination device. Each service or application on a device is assigned a unique port
number.
 o Example: Web servers typically use port 80 (HTTP) or port 443 (HTTPS), while
email servers use port 25 (SMTP). The transport layer ensures that data meant for a
web server is delivered to port 80, while email data is sent to port 25.
Transport Layer Protocols:
The two main protocols used at the transport layer are:
1. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP):
o Connection-Oriented: Establishes a connection before data transfer.
o Reliable: Provides error recovery, acknowledgment, and retransmission.
o Flow Control: Uses windowing and congestion control.
o Example Use Case: Web browsing, file transfers, and email where reliability is
critical.
2. User Datagram Protocol (UDP):
o Connectionless: No connection setup, data is sent without guarantees.
o Unreliable: No acknowledgment or retransmission.
o Faster: Since there is no overhead for error checking, UDP is faster.
o Example Use Case: Real-time applications like video streaming, VoIP, and online
gaming where speed is more important than reliability.
Summary of Responsibilities:

Function Description

Segmentation & Breaks large data into segments, reassembles them on the receiving
Reassembly side.

Establishes and manages connections (TCP) or sends data without

Prevents overwhelming the receiver by controlling data transmission

Error Detection & Ensures data integrity through error checking and retransmission in case
Recovery of errors (TCP).

Multiplexing & Manages multiple data streams and ensures they are delivered to the
Demultiplexing correct applications via ports.

Port Addressing Uses port numbers to ensure data reaches the appropriate application.

Ensures complete and accurate data delivery through acknowledgment