LJ2 Connections and data transmission

In this module I came to better understand the TCP/IP protocol. TCP/IP was a term that I could give a general definition for (i.e. the rules or standards for how information is transmitted over the internet). However, I didn't have a refined understanding of this dual protocol. It is actually an elegant solution to the problem of sending and receiving large amounts of data over a network, shared by millions, without it getting constantly fragmented, misplaced or "stuck in traffic."

The image below gives a brief overview.

this image was found here

When I type in the web address for a website in my browser the TCP or Transmission Control protocol establishes a connection with server that hosts that website. Then, rather than sending the requested webpage all at once, the TCP breaks the webpage down into "puzzle pieces" known as packets and routes them to their destination. These packets are packaged with information to ensure that they

• arrive at their proper destination 
• are completely reassembled in proper order upon arrival

 To do this, the packets have information about

•      the addresses of both the sender and receiver of the data 
•      the size of the packet 
•      their order in the chain of reassembly 

From there, the IP in the TCP/IP protocol decides what path the packet will take. The data hops from computer to computer until it reaches my browser. What happens if a packet gets lost or fragmented? The TCP detects these errors and will re-transmit that data until it receives confirmation that the packet has arrived and the "puzzle" is completed. TCP/IP has meaning to me now. It's what enables me to type in a web address and see the resultant page physically load before my eyes. Pretty cool.

I also learned what a word cloud is. I had never heard the term before. I learned how to use Wordle which is a website that creates word clouds. My peers and I contributed words to the word cloud displayed below.

I spent time reviewing the slides for this module and visiting the external links provided. I enjoyed learning about these concepts.