Catalog
concept#Architecture#Platform#Integration#Security

TCP/IP

Foundational protocol stack for Internet communication that governs addressing, packet delivery and reliable data transport.

TCP/IP is the foundational protocol suite for Internet communication, defining addressing, fragmentation, and reliable transport mechanisms.
Established
High

Classification

  • High
  • Technical
  • Architectural
  • Advanced

Technical context

Routers and Layer‑3 switchesFirewalls and NAT gatewaysDNS and DHCP servers

Principles & goals

Layering principle: clear separation of functions into layersEnd-to-end principle: place intelligence at endpoints where possibleRobustness through simplicity and specified standards
Build
Enterprise, Domain, Team

Use cases & scenarios

Compromises

  • Misconfiguration can lead to security vulnerabilities
  • MTU or fragmentation issues can cause silent packet loss
  • Dependence on legacy protocols complicates modernization
  • Plan an IPv6 strategy early
  • Set up monitoring for latency, throughput and packet loss
  • Enforce security policies (firewalls, segmentation) consistently

I/O & resources

  • Network topology and addressing plans
  • Specifications for throughput, latency and availability
  • Compatibility requirements with existing systems
  • Defined IP subnets and routing tables
  • Configuration guidelines for transport protocols
  • Monitoring and test metrics for operational oversight

Description

TCP/IP is the foundational protocol suite for Internet communication, defining addressing, fragmentation, and reliable transport mechanisms. It comprises layers such as IP and TCP/UDP, enables routing across heterogeneous networks and underpins web, email and application services. Engineers use TCP/IP as a reference model for design and troubleshooting.

✔

  • Wide interoperability across vendors and platforms
  • Scalability across heterogeneous networks and routers
  • Well-documented standards and many implementations

✖

  • Complexity in troubleshooting layered protocols
  • IPv4 address scarcity requires extra measures (NAT, IPv6)
  • Not all applications need reliable transport; adaptation required

  • Throughput

    Amount of data transmitted per time unit; important for performance measurement.

  • Latency

    Time between sending and receiving a packet; critical for interactive services.

  • Packet loss

    Ratio of lost packets; affects quality and retransmission needs.

World Wide Web

HTTP services run over TCP/IP and use IP addresses for routing and reachability.

Email (SMTP over TCP)

Email transfer uses TCP at the transport layer for reliable delivery.

VoIP/Streaming (UDP/IP)

Real‑time audio/video often uses UDP over IP for lower latency despite possible packet loss.

1

Define requirements and topology

2

Perform addressing and subnet planning

3

Configure devices, test and monitor

⚠️ Technical debt & bottlenecks

  • Legacy NAT solutions instead of IPv6 migration
  • Outdated firmware or unpatched networking devices
  • Insufficient automation of network configuration
Bandwidth (throughput limits)Latency and jitter in real‑time transmissionsAddress space and fragmentation issues
  • Using TCP for time‑critical streams without QoS
  • Ignoring MTU settings and fragmentation
  • Open, unpoliced endpoints in production networks
  • Cumbersome troubleshooting for cross‑layer issues
  • Hidden performance drops from small configuration errors
  • Missing documentation of address and routing changes
Fundamentals of networking and OSI/TCP‑IP modelsExperience with IP addressing and subnettingKnowledge of routing protocols and packet analysis
Interoperability across heterogeneous devicesScalability of routing and addressingReliability and fault tolerance in data transport
  • • Physical medium limitations (e.g. Wi‑Fi, copper)
  • • Compatibility with legacy hardware and protocols
  • • Regulatory and security requirements in networks