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Concept

Core Transport and Network Protocols

Protocols define the rules for exchanging data reliably or efficiently across networks:

  • Internet Protocol (IP): Operates on a best-effort basis to deliver packets from source to destination using IP addresses, offering no inherent guarantees regarding delivery or packet ordering.
  • Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): Provides reliable, ordered delivery. TCP numbers data segments, tracks receipts, and retransmits lost packets. It is suited for applications requiring high data accuracy, such as web pages, file transfers, and email.
  • User Datagram Protocol (UDP): A lightweight, connectionless protocol that sends data without delivery confirmations or ordering guarantees. UDP is preferred where speed is prioritized over lossless transmission, such as live video streams, voice calls, and online gaming.
  • Application & Configuration Protocols: HTTP and HTTPS govern web page retrieval (HTTPS wraps HTTP inside TLS encryption). DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices when they join a network.

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Updated 2026-09-04

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Prep Sessions

From Packets to Protocols: How Modern Networks Transmit Data @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ch.1 Network Architecture and Layering - From Packets to Protocols: How Modern Networks Transmit Data @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Network Fundamentals and Architecture - From Packets to Protocols: How Modern Networks Transmit Data @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor