What network protocol is used for reliable delivery of information?

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is designed specifically for reliable delivery of information over a network. It accomplishes this through a series of mechanisms that ensure data packets are transmitted successfully and in the correct order.

TCP establishes a connection between the sender and receiver before data transmission begins, using a three-way handshake process. This handshake ensures that both parties are prepared to communicate and can handle the data exchange efficiently. Once the connection is established, TCP breaks down messages into packets, which are sent to the destination.

Each packet sent by TCP includes a sequence number, enabling the receiver to reassemble the packets in the proper order, even if they arrive out of sequence. In addition, TCP implements acknowledgment signals, where the receiver sends back a confirmation once a packet has been received. If packets are lost during transmission, TCP can detect these losses (through timeouts and the lack of acknowledgments) and retransmit them, ensuring that all data reaches its destination accurately.

These features make TCP suitable for applications where data integrity and reliability are paramount, such as web browsing, file transfers, and email. In contrast, the other protocols mentioned do not provide these reliability features. For instance, User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is used for applications that prioritize speed over reliability