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The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
In the Internet, Inter-Process Communications is implemented using
the TCP "transport-layer" protocol. TCP provides an "end-to-end"
(or point-to-point) IPC service which is:
- reliable
- all data is delivered correctly, without errors, even though
the underlying delivery service may be unreliable -- see later.
- connection-oriented
- the protocol provides procedures for establishing and
concluding interprocess connections.
- byte stream
- ie, no visible packetisation so far as the
application processes are concerned
- full duplex
- data can flow in either direction over an established
connection, without restriction.
TCP is widely regarded as the best transport protocol ever
developed, and has no serious competitors.
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