What are the layers of the TCP/IP model?

The layers of the TCP/IP model consist of four primary components: Application, Transport, Internet, and Link.

The Application layer is the topmost layer, where user-facing applications operate, enabling end-user services such as email, file transfer, and web browsing. This layer handles high-level protocols like HTTP, FTP, and SMTP.

The Transport layer is responsible for facilitating communication between devices, ensuring that data is sent and received reliably. This layer uses protocols such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), which provides connection-oriented communication, and UDP (User Datagram Protocol), which allows for connectionless communication.

The Internet layer is tasked with routing and delivering packets across networks. It includes the Internet Protocol (IP), which is fundamental in addressing and forwarding packets to ensure they reach their intended destinations.

Finally, the Link layer deals with the physical transmission of data over networks. It encompasses protocols and hardware that operate at the network interface level, governing how data is transmitted over specific mediums, such as Ethernet for local area networks.

This hierarchical approach simplifies the implementation and interoperability of networking protocols, making it easier for different systems to communicate effectively. Therefore, recognizing these four distinct layers is crucial for understanding how modern networking and the internet function.