TCP/IP Best Resources
TCP/IP Best Resources
Much like the mailman delivers mail to your home or business address, TCP/IP protocol functions in a like way, except that tracing lost mail is much easier than the post office trying to trace snail mail. Computers communicate with each other through packets of information. TCP/IP assures that you will get that information from address to address, URL to URL. You can “tweak” your TCP/IP protocol, fine-tune it, so that your information gets where it needs to go optimally. The protocol suite is used in everything from your home computer to your mobile communications devices.
TCP/IP Introductory Material
Internet Protocol, known as IP, is the first layer of transport. This is your computer, situated at your IP address, represented by four sets of numbers. Being the first of four layers to transport your information from point A to point B, IPs tend to be unreliable. That’s where the Transmission Control Protocol comes in on the second layer. In other words, the TCP layer sits atop the IP layer. The TCP layer transmits information to the third layer which houses other protocols such as the DNS, subnet, and the like. The fourth layer is your operating system. The nice thing about the TCP is that if any of those packets of information gets lost within your communication layers, it brings them back and delivers them.
The Anatomy of the URL: The parts of the Universal Resource Locator, or Internet address.
Moving and Verifying: The basics defined: IP is responsible for moving information packets, TCP for move verification. Includes a brief history of its Department of Defense origins.
Basic Networking: Binary-oriented basics of TCP/IP protocol, tools, and technology.
Internet Protocol Simplified: Addressing, fragmentation, packet timeouts, and service type all aids in determining how information moves on the Internet.
Transmission Control Protocols: TCP’s role in the “end-to-end” argument.
TCP Tutorial: Summary, header, state transition diagram, and congestion control are covered.
TCP/IP FAQ: Frequently asked questions regarding the fundamentals of the TCP/IP suite and common applications for network connectivity.
TCP/IP Layering: Diagram of the three layers of the TCP/IP suite, doesn’t show the operating system fourth layer. Covers UDP as well.
Internet Glossary: Basic list of internet terms, updated to 2008.
Resources for Programmers
Programmers and internet security analysts must have a good handle on how TCP/IP protocols work. Everything else in the computer world, communication-wise, builds on that knowledge. Programmers configure the TCP/IP protocol in order to create more secure, faster communications among the computers in the computer network and over the Internet. Each operating system will have its own set of resources. Code is abundant on the Web to help you “tweak” your system.
Internet Protocol: IP configurations and utilities for the techno-savvy.
Sockets Programming: Two-part tutorial on programming IP sockets for Linux. Requires basic knowledge of C programming and Python for part two.
Free Open Source Programs: Various real-time programming applications that support TCP/IP.
RFC 3135: “Performance Enhancing Proxies Intended to Mitigate Link-Related Degradations.”
High Speed TCP/IP: The current records measure in terabits per meter, ranging from 8.80-9.08 gigabits per second. Click the TCP Land Speed Record link to connect to the site records site.
Unix Programming: Updated 2009; links include TCP/IP, Unix for Macintosh, and socket programming.
LDAP Protocol: The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol uses TCP/IP stacks instead of the OSI stack.
TCP/IP Sockets in C: Example codes from the book to make code Winsock compliant.
O/S Specific Resources
Your operating system is your fourth layer of information transport. It is responsible for the actual transport layer. Although the TCP/IP protocol is a standard protocol, each operating system uses it in its own context. Open source systems like Linux define it one way, while Windows and Macintosh another. But each can “tweak” the suite for optimum performance.
Fine Tuning Data Transfers: Enabling high performance for operating systems such as Linux, Macintosh OS X, Sun Solaris, Windows, among others.
TCP Tuning Guide: Summary of techniques for the common operating systems.
Web 100: Linux project is currently finished, but the kernels are continuing the updates as Web 100 merged.
Tweaking TCP Stacks: How to “max out” the connection speed on your PC using a “tweaktester”.
Linux TCP Protocol: Two socket connection for both v4 and v6, the protocol is defined in RFC 793, 1122, and 2001 with NewReno and SACK extensions.
Vista ipconfig: Tutorial addresses how to find your IP address under Windows Vista, MAC, DHCP and DNS servers.
Windows Configurations: Techno-guide checklist to configuring the TCP/IP suite on your Windows operating system.
Material on IP Addresses, subnets, DNS, switching & Routing
It is all about getting information from one IP address to another. Sometimes you need to point a web site to another web site, a redirection. Sometimes you need to totally reroute the information packets or filter information. Or simply transfer files within the suite. There are varied protocols to accomplish those tasks. Think of it as more than one path to your destination.
FTP Basics: An overview of file transfer protocol within the TCP/IP suite.
IP Datagram Format: Details are shown in slide format. Extensive, includes fragmentation, RIP protocol, and routing, among many others.
Netmasks: What are they and how do they filter IP addresses?
Domain Name Server: What is DNS, its importance, and it works.
DNS Resolution: Follow the instructions to ensure that DNS is resolved in advanced TCP/IP suite configurations (server name to address in Domino servers).
Networking: See the specifics how the layers communicate with each other.
Route Optimization: Paper discusses securing IPv6 route standard.
Internet Security
Terabytes of information float around cyberspace. Security must be strong to prevent loss or infiltration of personal information. Understanding how such protocols as TCP/IP transmit, send, and recall information if needed when lost in the realm of cyberspace is imperative to securing that information. TCP/IP is the foundation of security analysis because no matter what is being sent over the computer, it has to reside in those packets of information.
IP Sharing: Technical analysis of active IP sharing among domains. How to determine your computer’s IP address. Discusses the prevalence and significance of Internet filtering globally.
Network Calculators: Subnet mask and network/node calculators, IP address and subnet mask converters, as well as a subnet mask inverter.
Internet Protocol and Security: Refresher course on TCP/IP and UDP protocols and how they relate to security.
Troubleshooting: Tutorial covers troubleshooting your TCP/IP communications protocol.
Securing DNS: How to secure your Domain Name Server.
Spoofing: How the TCP/IP authentication process works and how an IP address get be easily spoofed.
Enabling Spoof Protection: Linux-based protection FAQs.
Personal Information Exchange: Decentralized protocols like the TCP/IP suite have helped create a new economy of personal information exchange.
Glossary: Terms specifically related to Internet security.
The world’s communication relies on TCP/IP protocol as the foundation of secure Internet information. Individuals, businesses, and governments rely on information making it from its initial journey to its destination. The speed of transmitted information is critical as is its security. Every other information-sending protocol builds upon that rock.
