What is the fundamental protocol that the Internet uses today?

The fundamental protocol that the Internet uses today is TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This suite of protocols forms the basis for communication over the Internet, allowing different devices and networks to connect and exchange information seamlessly. TCP/IP was specifically designed to facilitate diverse networks to communicate with each other, enabling processes such as breaking down data into packets, addressing those packets, and ensuring that they reach their destination accurately.

TCP operates at the transport layer of the Internet Protocol Suite, managing how data is sent and received between devices, making sure that packets are delivered in order and without errors. IP, on the other hand, functions at the network layer, determining how the packets are routed through the network. Together, these protocols allow for robust and reliable communication, which is essential for the functioning of the Internet as we know it today.

While other protocols listed, such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), serve specific purposes within Internet communications, they are built on top of the foundational TCP/IP suite. Therefore, without TCP/IP, the broader functionalities of these other protocols would not be possible, highlighting the central role that TCP/IP plays in the architecture of the Internet.