4.3: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Read the introduction to Section 4.3, "The Transmission Control Protocol," on pages 89-90. Stop at Section 4.3.1.
Almost every Internet application relies on the TCP in the transport layer. In this section you will discover how your favorite Internet activity exchanges data around the world. Then in the following subunits, you can travel with your data as it streams to its destination and back.
4.3.1: TCP Connection Establishment
Read section 4.3.1, "TCP Connection Establishment," on pages 90-95. As you read, be able to describe the three-way handshake used by TCP to establish a connection.
4.3.2: TCP Connection Release
Read section 4.3.2, "TCP Connection Release," on pages 95-97. As you read, make sure you are able to identify and explain the two types of connection release.
4.3.3: TCP: A Reliable Data Transport Mechanism
Read the beginning of section 4.3.3, "TCP Reliable Data Transfer," on pages 97-98. Stop when you get to "Segment Transmission Strategies."
4.3.3.1: TCP Segment Transmission Strategies
Read "Segment Transmission Strategies" on pages 98-99. Stop at the "TCP Windows" section.
This section of your textbook presents the Nagle Algorithm. What is it, and what two strategies does it provide for data transmission?
4.3.3.2: TCP Windows
Read "TCP Windows" on pages 99-100. Stop at "TCP's Retransmission Timeout." As you read, consider the following questions: What is a TCP window according to the information provided in this section of your textbook? How does a TCP window improve processing in the transport layer?
4.3.3.3: TCP Retransmission Timeout
Read section 4.3.3, "TCP's Retransmission Timeout," on pages 100-102. Stop at "Advanced Retransmission Strategies."
Follow the path in this section of your textbook to see how the TCP retransmission timeout improves transport performance.
4.3.3.4: Advanced Retransmission Strategies
Read "Advanced Retransmission Strategies" on pages 102-105. Stop at "TCP Congestion Control."
As you read, consider the following questions: What is the exponential back off and how does TCP use it? What is the delayed acknowledgement strategy in TCP? What is the fast retransmit heuristic as utilized by TCP? What is the SACK option?
4.3.3.5: TCP Congestion Control
Read "TCP Congestion Control" on pages 105-113. Stop at the summary.
TCP's congestion control is one of its best performance control features. This section explains this feature and how it improves performance in the transport layer.