[Teisha Nolen]

TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is a set of internet protocols that dictate how we send and receive data over a network like the internet. TCP, or Transmission Control Protocol, is the protocol responsible for establishing a connection, breaking the data down (called packets), transferring the data, and reassembling the packets in order once they have reached the destination. TCP is responsible for the reliability of the data sent.

IP, or Internet Protocol, is responsible for the assignment of distinct network addresses and for routing the packets from one location or device to another. IP works in tandem with TCP. It establishes addresses for each location on the internet, routes packets of information to the proper location, and then delivers the packets of information to the correct destination.

In essence, TCP handles the breakdown of the data, ensuring reliability, while IP ensures the data reaches the correct destination. Together, these protocols are the backbone of how we communicate online.