Match each TCP/IP layers with its function.
Drag
Drop
Application: Breaks the data into pieces. .
Internet
Link
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here is the correct matching of TCP/IP layers with their functions:
Application Layer → Prepares the data to be sent.
Transport Layer → Breaks the data into pieces.
Internet Layer → Determines the best path for data to travel.
Link Layer (Network Access Layer) → Handles the physical transmission of data.
Explanation (300+ words):
The TCP/IP model, also known as the Internet Protocol Suite, consists of four layers. Each layer has a specific function that contributes to the complete process of data communication over networks.
1. Application Layer – Prepares the data to be sent
This is the topmost layer in the TCP/IP model. It includes all the protocols and services that end users interact with. Applications such as web browsers (using HTTP), email clients (using SMTP), and file transfer tools (using FTP) operate at this layer. The main function is to prepare the data in a form suitable for transmission by presenting it in a format the recipient can understand. It also initiates communication by establishing connections between applications on different devices.
2. Transport Layer – Breaks the data into pieces
The transport layer is responsible for segmenting the data into manageable pieces, often called segments (in TCP) or datagrams (in UDP). It ensures reliable or unreliable transmission depending on the protocol used:
- TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) offers reliability, error checking, and flow control.
- UDP (User Datagram Protocol) provides faster, connectionless transmission without error checking.
This layer ensures that data reaches the correct application on the receiving device.
3. Internet Layer – Determines the best path for data to travel
The internet layer handles the logical transmission of data across networks. It is mainly responsible for routing and IP addressing. Protocols like IP (Internet Protocol) and ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) work here. The internet layer ensures that data packets find the best path to reach the destination, even if that involves traversing multiple networks.
4. Link Layer – Handles the physical transmission of data
Also known as the network access or data link layer, this layer is responsible for the actual transmission of data over the physical medium (like cables or wireless). It includes protocols such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi. The link layer ensures that data can move from one physical device to another within the same network and handles hardware addressing (MAC addresses) and error detection on the physical level.
In summary, the TCP/IP model provides a clear structure for how data is prepared, transferred, routed, and physically transmitted from source to destination in a networked environment. Each layer plays a critical role in ensuring communication is efficient, reliable, and standardized.