The Transport Realm
Welcome back, protocol explorer! 🏰
Our packet has navigated routers and crossed networks, but now it needs to ensure it arrives safely and in the right order. Enter the transport layer protocols - the guardians of reliable delivery.
In this chapter, we’ll explore:
- The difference between TCP and UDP
- Ports and sockets
- The three-way handshake
- Error checking and reliability
Which protocol provides reliable, ordered delivery of data?
TCP: The Reliable Courier
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is like a meticulous courier service. It ensures that:
- All packets arrive in order
- No packets are lost
- Data is delivered error-free
Key features of TCP:
- Connection-oriented
- Three-way handshake
- Error checking
- Flow control
Which of the following are features of TCP?
UDP: The Speedy Messenger
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is like a speedy messenger. It’s:
- Connectionless
- Faster but less reliable
- Ideal for real-time applications
Common uses of UDP:
- Video streaming
- Online gaming
- Voice over IP (VoIP)
- DNS queries
Which protocol is often used for video streaming and why? (Short answer)
Ports and Sockets: The Network Addresses
Ports and sockets are like apartment numbers in a building:
- Ports identify specific services (e.g., HTTP on port 80)
- Sockets combine IP address and port number
- Well-known ports are standardized (0-1023)
What is the well-known port number for HTTPS?
Next Steps in Our Journey
Now that our packet is safely delivered, in the next chapter we’ll explore the guardians of network security. We’ll learn about:
- Firewalls and their operation
- Network Address Translation (NAT)
- Stateful vs stateless inspection
- Common network threats
Until then, keep your connections secure! Remember, every protocol has its purpose.