Description
Internet Protocol Suite, or famously known as TCP/IP, is a model of networking layering consists of 4 layers which is Application layer, Transport layer, Internet layer and Link layer. Each layer is represented with a protocol for data transmission. The most important layer is Transport layer and Internet layer as it consist of both TCP and IP protocol, which ensure data is sent and received successfully.
Application layer
This is the top most layer in Internet Protocol Suite. It is the layer where data were processed to sent and after receiving. Programs and applications can only access and exchange data in this layer. Examples of protocol belonged in this layer are HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).Analogy: This is the place where you send or receive a pascal to or from oversea in post office.
[ Sender's Post Office ] → [ Sorting Area ] → [ Sender's country van ] → [ Ships oversea] ↓
[ Receiver's Post Office ] ← [ Sorting Area ] ← [ Receiver's country van ] ← [ Ships oversea ]
Transport layer
This is the second layer in Internet Protocol Suite. Data from or to Application layer is processed here. Transport layer assign the destination for the data. When transport layer recieved a data, it will transport the data to correct application layer protocol. Examples of transport layer are Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP)Analogy: This is where your pascal will be sorted and organized before shipping into a van to deliver it.
[ Sender's Post Office ] → [ Sorting Area ] → [ Sender's country van ] → [ Ships oversea] ↓
[ Receiver's Post Office ] ← [ Sorting Area ] ← [ Receiver's country van ] ← [ Ships oversea ]
Internet layer
The third layer of Internet Protocol Suite. It routes the data through network to it's destination. It also find for another route when the original route is having problem. Example of this layer is Internet Protocol (IP).Analogy: This is where a van will deliver your pascal to the dock where ships will deliver the pascal oversea.
[ Sender's Post Office ] → [ Sorting Area ] → [ Sender's country van ] → [ Ships oversea] ↓
[ Receiver's Post Office ] ← [ Sorting Area ] ← [ Receiver's country van ] ← [ Ships oversea ]
Link layer
This is the lowest layer of Internet Protocol Suite. It is the layer where data transmit through the connection physically through wires. Example for this layer is ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and Ethernet.Analogy: This is the place where a ship will deliver your pascal oversea to another location.
[ Sender's Post Office ] → [ Sorting Area ] → [ Sender's country van ] → [ Ships oversea] ↓
[ Receiver's Post Office ] ← [ Sorting Area ] ← [ Receiver's country van ] ← [ Ships oversea ]
This article is referred from Wikipedia's Internet protocol suite article. (With a few sub-articles)