NETWORK LAYERS:

It is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the

internet. TCP/IP can also be used as a communications protocol in a private network
(an intranet or an extranet). Let’s see how they work together to send and receive data across
a TCP/IP network.
This is a simplified view of how the network layers work together to generate frames. Higher
layers pass information to lower layers. Each layer adds information called a header to the data
being passed to it. This header contains information the layer needs to perform its job. We will
start at the Application layer.

TCP/IP functionality is divided into four layers, each of which includes specific protocols.

I. THE APPLICATION LAYER

It provides applications with standardized data exchange. Its protocols include the
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3),
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

II. THE TRANSPORT LAYER

It is responsible for maintaining end-to-end communications across the network. TCP
handles communications between hosts and provides flow control, multiplexing and reliability.
The transport protocols include TCP and User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is sometimes
used instead of TCP for special purposes.

III. THE NETWORK LAYER

It is also called the internet layer, deals with packets and connects independent
networks to transport the packets across network boundaries. The network layer protocols are
the IP and the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), which is used for error reporting.

IV. Data Link Layer

The Data Link layer is responsible for creating the frames that move across the network. These
frames encapsulate the packets and use MAC addresses to identify the source and destination.
 V. THE PHYSICAL LAYER
It consists of protocols that operate only on a link -- the network component that interconnects
nodes or hosts in the network. The protocols in this layer include Ethernet for local area
networks (LANs) and the Address Resolution Protocol