CertiGuide to Network+  9  Chapter 0100:  Network Protocols

Pop Quiz 0100.00 1 2 VIII  Routing Protocols

The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite of protocols and utilities is so vast; you can stock a small library on the topic. For the purposes of the NETWORK+ test you are expected to know the TCP/IP suite.

Since the TCP/IP suite works across a huge variety of systems, it is rapidly becoming THE protocol suite for everyday use. With this in mind, you are encouraged to continue your studies of this suite beyond preparing for the NETWORK+ test.

In the next chapter, we’ll dig into the details of TCP/IP. For now, let’s look at an overview of the TCP/IP suite. As with the other protocol families we’ve examined in this chapter, the TCP/IP protocol suite consists of multiple protocols, which operate at various layers of the OSI Model.

Following the transportation theme of the other protocols we’ve described, TCP/IP is like a tractor-trailer. Capable of hauling almost anything, almost anywhere, it is also the slowest of the protocols and requires the most knowledge to configure and maintain.

It is also the most configurable. The fact that this protocol has the most overhead has become a non-issue with delivery of more powerful computers and faster physical network technologies like Gigabit Ethernet.

The TCP/IP suite has always enjoyed life in UNIX. Windows NT 4.0 and all later releases of Windows have TCP/IP capabilities and beginning with Netware 5.0, Novell is supporting this protocol directly and natively. Prior to Netware 5.0, IP was enclosed inside of IPX when needed.

Using the OSI layering model, each layer has a specific function to accomplish. It then hands off to the next layer up or down, depending on traffic flow of data out from the computer to the network or data in from the network to the computer.

Pop Quiz 0100.00 1 2 VIII  Routing Protocols