← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

TCP/IP: the internet's core protocols

The pair of protocols the internet runs on. IP addresses and routes packets. TCP splits data into packets, puts them back in order and checks they all arrived.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 34

Understanding TCP/IP: the internet's core protocols in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Addressing is the job of IP, so the destination IP address is the code that matches. Numbering packets for reordering and checking is the job of TCP, so a packet number matches TCP. IP (Internet Protocol) puts addresses on packets and helps routers send them to the right place. TCP does the delivery checking. TCP and IP have different jobs, but they work as a team. IP gets packets to the right address and TCP makes sure all the data arrives correctly. TCP checks delivery. If a packet is missing, it asks for it to be sent again. IP is about addresses.

Common mistakes: Putting packets back in order is a job for TCP, not IP. IP only addresses and routes packets. The line should say TCP puts packets in order. Routing packets towards their destination is done by IP. TCP handles splitting, ordering and checking. The line should say IP routes each packet.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 69–124) and word search (Modules 69–152).

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Learning
Duo
Which protocol is in charge of addressing packets and routing them to the right device?
IPTCP
Matches
TCP finds the route and gives each device its address
↓
This describes IP, not TCP. IP does the addressing and routing, while TCP splits data, reorders packets and checks they arrived.
Applying
Meanings
Term
TCP/IP
Meaning
The pair of protocols the internet runs on. IP addresses and routes packets. TCP splits data into packets, puts them back in order and checks they all arrived.
Practice
TCP: split the data into packets
Testing
Gaps
does: address and route packets
Check Answer
Spots
3IP routes packets to target
4IP puts packets in order

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Quick Questions

1. Which protocol is in charge of addressing packets and routing them to the right device?
A. IP ✓
B. TCP
IP (Internet Protocol) puts addresses on packets and helps routers send them to the right place. TCP does the delivery checking.
2. Which protocol splits data into packets and puts them back in order at the destination?
A. IP
B. TCP ✓
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) splits the data up, numbers the packets and reorders them when they arrive.
3. TCP/IP is a pair of protocols that work together.
A. False
B. True ✓
TCP and IP have different jobs, but they work as a team. IP gets packets to the right address and TCP makes sure all the data arrives correctly.
4. Which job does TCP do?
A. Checks that all the packets arrived ✓
B. Gives each device its IP address
TCP checks delivery. If a packet is missing, it asks for it to be sent again. IP is about addresses.
5. A packet is sent to the address 192.168.1.20. Which protocol is working with that address?
A. IP ✓
B. TCP
IP addresses are used by the Internet Protocol to decide where each packet should go.

Match the Pairs

IP → The protocol that gives devices addresses and routes each packet towards its destination
TCP → The protocol that splits data into packets, puts them back in order and checks they all arrived
IP puts the destination address on each packet so routers know where to send it → IP: destination 192.168.1.20
TCP numbers the packets so the receiver can put them back in order and spot a missing one → TCP: packet 3 of 5
TCP finds the route and gives each device its address → This describes IP, not TCP. IP does the addressing and routing, while TCP splits data, reorders packets and checks they arrived.
TCP/IP is only one protocol, and it only does addressing → TCP/IP is a pair of protocols working together. IP does addressing and routing, and TCP does delivery checking.

Key Term

TCP/IP
The pair of protocols the internet runs on. IP addresses and routes packets. TCP splits data into packets, puts them back in order and checks they all arrived.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IP does: address and route packets
Hint: Type the protocol that handles addressing and routing.
2. TCP does: split data into packets
Hint: Type the word for the small pieces that data is split into.
3. TCP does: put packets back in order
Hint: Type the word for the correct sequence packets are rebuilt in.
4. TCP does: check all packets arrived
Hint: Type the verb for what TCP does to make sure nothing is missing.
5. TCP/IP = TCP + IP
Hint: Type the protocol that handles delivery checking, the partner of IP.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A TCP splits data into packets
B IP adds destination address
C IP routes packets to target
D IP puts packets in order
E TCP checks all packets came
Line D — Putting packets back in order is a job for TCP, not IP. IP only addresses and routes packets. The line should say TCP puts packets in order.
Question 2
A TCP splits file into packets
B IP addresses each packet
C TCP routes each packet
D TCP reorders packets at end
Line C — Routing packets towards their destination is done by IP. TCP handles splitting, ordering and checking. The line should say IP routes each packet.
Question 3
A ip_job = 'checking delivery'
B tcp_job = 'checking delivery'
C OUTPUT ip_job, tcp_job
Line A — IP is responsible for addressing packets. Checking delivery is TCP's job. The line should be ip_job = 'addressing packets'.
Question 4
A internet_protocols = TCP, LAN
B IP handles the addressing
C TCP handles the delivery
Line A — The internet's core protocols are TCP and IP. A LAN is a type of network, not a protocol. The line should be internet_protocols = TCP, IP.
Question 5
A SET data = 'photo.jpg'
B IP splits data into packets
C IP addresses each packet
Line B — TCP splits data into packets. IP then addresses them. The line should say TCP splits data into packets.

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