What is TCP/IP?

What is TCP/IP?


TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the basic communication language or protocol of the Internet. 


It can also be used as a communications protocol in a private network (either an intranet or anextranet). When you are set up with direct access to the Internet, your computer is provided with a copy of the TCP/IP program just as every other computer that you may send messages to or get information from also has a copy of TCP/IP.



TCP/IP is a two-layer program. The higher layer, Transmission Control Protocol, manages the assembling of a message or file into smaller packets that are transmitted over the Internet and received by a TCP layer that reassembles the packets into the original message. The lower layer, Internet Protocol, handles theaddress part of each packet so that it gets to the right destination. Each gatewaycomputer on the network checks this address to see where to forward the message. Even though some packets from the same message are routed differently than others, they'll be reassembled at the destination.




TCP/IP uses the client/server model of communication in which a computer user (a client) requests and is provided a service (such as sending a Web page) by another computer (a server) in the network. TCP/IP communication is primarily point-to-point, meaning each communication is from one point (or host computer) in the network to another point or host computer. TCP/IP and the higher-level applications that use it are collectively said to be "stateless" because each client request is considered a new request unrelated to any previous one (unlike ordinary phone conversations that require a dedicated connection for the call duration).


 Being stateless frees network paths so that everyone can use them continuously. (Note that the TCP layer itself is not stateless as far as any one message is concerned. Its connection remains in place until all packets in a message have been received.)




Many Internet users are familiar with the even higher layer application protocols that use TCP/IP to get to the Internet. These include the World Wide Web's Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Telnet (Telnet) which lets you logon to remote computers, and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). These and other protocols are often packaged together with TCP/IP as a "suite."




Personal computer users with an analog phone modem connection to the Internet usually get to the Internet through the Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). These protocols encapsulate the IP packets so that they can be sent over the dial-up phone connection to an access provider's modem.
Protocols related to TCP/IP include the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is used instead of TCP for special purposes. 




Other protocols are used by network host computers for exchanging router information. These include the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), the Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP), the Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP), and the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).

Introduction to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)

What is IPTV?:

IPTV stands for internet protocol television. Any person whose watched a clip online has experienced a form of IPTV.

In order to compete against cable's triple play, telcommunication companies started offering TV programming through their high speed Internet connection. This makes it possible for telcos to offer the quadruple play, which is a combination of wireless phone, Internet, land-line phone and TV programming.

Who Offers IPTV?:

Verizon was the first telco to offer IPTV when it launched service in Keller Texas in Sept. 2005. Verizon's service starts at $39.95 a month. They plan on expanding into the 29 states where Verizon services are provided.

Other telcos are taking Verizon's lead. AT&T joined the market in 2006 by offering U-Verse, which is TV and Yahoo! Internet access for $74 a month. Currently, the U-Verse service is only offered in San Antonio and Houston, Texas. AT&T plans on expanding in 2007 and hopes to reach 19 million household by the end of 2008.

How is IPTV Displayed?:

IPTV can be viewed in several ways. A computer may be used to reassemble protocol packets and convert them into a television signal that can be recognized by standard television set. Another option is the set top box, commonly used by cable companies. The set top box would be used in place of a computer and would do the same job a computer does.

Wireless Communication:

Currently, none of the large telcos offer wireless IPTV. However, Ruckus Wireless, a wireless multimedia company based in California, has struck deals with several regional telcos to offer IPTV wirelessly. Ruckus has deals in place to provide wireless IPTV service in China and Ireland but has only recently signed deals with companies with in the United States.

Differences Between Cable and Satellite:

There are several differences between traditional television programming, such as cable and satellite providers, and IPTV. At the moment, the biggest difference and the difference that may affect consumer decisions the most is the availability of HDTV programming. Cable companies are now offering several packages with HDTV programming. IPTV is not yet able to provide HDTV programming. Also, because IPTV is offered over the internet quality may be poor if the connection is not strong.

Advantages of IPTV:

Other than wireless communication, another advantage of IPTV is that if the customer has quadruple play (internet, television, telephone, mobile phone service) with the same company, the cell phone can be used to schedule the recording of a program. Excluding cell phone service and having only three services with a company is referred to as triple play.

Disadvantages of IPTV:

There are some limitations to IPTV. According to Wikipedia, because IPTV is based on the Internet Protocol, it is sensitive to packet loss and delays if the IPTV connection is not fast enough and it also does not support HDTV at the moment. AT&T is currently experimenting with HDTV and its U-Verse service in the Houston area according to Cable Industry Insider.