TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

A set of communications protocols that encompasses media access, packet transport, session communications, file transfer, electronic mail, terminal emulation, remote file access, and network management. TCP/IP provides the basis for the Internet. The structure of TCP/IP is as follows: Process layer clients: FTP, Telnet, SMTP, NFS, DNS; Transport layer service providers: TCP (FTP, Telnet, SMTP), UDP (NFS, DNS); Network layer: IP (TCP, UDP); and Access layer: Ethernet (IP), Token ring (IP).