can anyone give me pointers on TCP\IP?

Answer 1

yes someone sure can

Answer 2

The Internet protocol suite is the set of communications protocols that implements the protocol stack on which the Internet and many commercial networks run. It is part of the TCP/IP protocol suite, which is named after two of the most important protocols in it: the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP), which were also the first two networking protocols defined. A review of TCP/IP is given under that heading. Note that today's TCP/IP networking represents a synthesis of two developments that began in the 1970's, namely LAN's (Local Area Networks) and the Internet, that revolutionalised computing.

The Internet protocol suite — like many protocol suites — can be viewed as a set of layers. Each layer solves a set of problems involving the transmission of data, and provides a well-defined service to the upper layer protocols based on using services from some lower layers. Upper layers are logically closer to the user and deal with more abstract data, relying on lower layer protocols to translate data into forms that can eventually be physically transmitted. The original TCP/IP reference model consisted of four layers, but has evolved into a five-layer model.

The OSI model describes a fixed, seven-layer stack for networking protocols. Comparisons between the OSI model and TCP/IP can give further insight into the significance of the components of the IP suite. The OSI model with its increased numbers of layers provides for more flexibility. Both the OSI and the TCP/IP models are 'standards' and application developers will often implement solutions without strict adherence to proposed 'division' of labour within the standard whilst providing for functionality within the application suite. This separation of 'practice' from theory often leads to confusion..

Answer 3

your question is way too vague. the best reference on tcp/ip though is "tcp/ip illustrated" by stevens. this is pretty much the standard, and on almost all people's bookshelves if they are into networking.