Web and XML Glossary

TCP is intended for use as a highly reliable transport Protocol between hosts in packet-switched computer communication Networks, and in interconnected systems of such Networks. TCP is a flow-controlled, connection-oriented, end-to-end reliable Protocol designed to fit into a layered hierarchy of Protocols supporting multi-network applications. TCP provides for reliable interprocess communications between pairs of processes in host computers attached to distinct but interconnected computer communication Networks. Very few assumptions are made as to the reliability of the communication Protocols below the TCP layer. TCP assumes it can obtain a simple, potentially unreliable, datagram service from the lower level Protocols, usually IP. TCP is able to operate above a wide spectrum of communication systems, ranging from hard-wired connections to packet-switched or circuit-switched networks.