Flashback : TCP/IP

Generally , TCP/IP is described using three to five functional layers.

 

This model is based on the three layer. These three layers are as follows:

1. Network access layer
2. Host-to-host transport layer
3. Application layer

Another standard architectural model that is often used to describe a network protocol stack is the OSI reference model. This model consists of seven layer protocol stack

 

How a Protocol Stack Work

Data is passed down the stack from one layer to the next, until it is transmitted over the network by network access layer protocols

At the remote end, the data is passed up the stack to the receiving application

Each layer in the stack adds control information (such as destination address, routing control and checksum) to ensure proper delivery.

The control information is called header and/or trailer because it is placed in front of or behind the data to be transmitted. Each layer treats all of the information that it receives from layer above it as data, and it places its own header and/or trailer.

When data is received, the opposite happen, each layer strips off its header and/or trailer before passing the data up to the layer above.