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What is an IP address?. Each and every computer that you use that connects to the internet or a network uses a specific range of numbers separated by periods that is called an IP address, or an Internet Protocol address.
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What is an IP address? • Each and every computer that you use that connects to the internet or a network uses a specific range of numbers separated by periods that is called an IP address, or an Internet Protocol address. • For a computer to communicate with its Internet Service Provider (i.e. Comcast, AT&T, etc) and other servers/clients, it needs to be assigned an IP address to be identified so servers can serve it information while knowing where to serve the information.
History of TCP/IP • Began as a project under the DoD in the 1960s. • Later adopted by various universities to maintain networks, and initially named ARPANET. • Functioned as a simple way to transfer packets between computers. • Evolved from ARPANET to work as a regulator for communication between computers and networks. • Led to the internet we know today, and still plays a very important part in communications.
IP Functions • IP or Internet Protocol controls routing of information to different computers, different devices and different servers on the same network. • Using the IP address the router directs information to the computer requesting it. • This allows two computers to figure out where the other one is so that they can start communication.
TCP Functions • All data sent over the internet using TCP/IP is broken down into 'packets' • Because the quality of the transmission lines between computers are unknown the client computer sends one packet first. • The server computer then sends an acknowledgement that it has received the packet, the client computer now sends more packets • If there is a problem with one or more of the packets the process starts over
The four layers of TCP There are basically four layers of connectivity that a host can have to a server, and here I will explain them. 1st layer: The link layer • Is the scope of the Local Area Connection that the host is attached to 2nd layer: The internet layer • Holds responsibility of “routing” packets to other places • Uses hierarchical identification system (IP addresses) to identify locations/sources 3rd layer: The transport layer Ensures that: • Data is sent in order • Data has minimal error • Duplicate data is discarded • Discarded data is re-sent 4th layer: The application layer • This layer covers how high-level processes (i.e. Skype, a videoconferencing software) communicate from client-client and client-server standpoints.
Problems with TCP/IP • Generally has very low security standards. • Lacks encryption or authentication requirements, causing vulnerability. • Absence of encryption allows packets to be intercepted between computers and manipulated. • Faulty security because of it was not meant to be used on such a large scale. • As the internet grows, TCP/IP becomes increasingly easy to target.