Management Information System (MIS) Practice Exam

What is the protocol commonly used by the Internet called?

1. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

2. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

3. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

4. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)

The correct answer is: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a core component of the Internet Protocol Suite and is fundamental for data transmission across networks. TCP operates at the transport layer, providing reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of data between applications running on hosts communicating via an IP network. This protocol is crucial because it establishes a connection-oriented session between two endpoints and ensures that data is delivered accurately and in the correct sequence. It accomplishes this through mechanisms such as error detection, retransmission of lost packets, and acknowledgment procedures, which are essential for maintaining the integrity of data transmission over the often unpredictable medium of the internet. The other protocols mentioned serve different functions within networking. For instance, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is used for dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices on a network, while Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) resolves IP addresses to physical MAC addresses, facilitating local network communications. Lastly, Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is a simplified version of FTP used primarily for transferring files but does not provide the same level of reliability and control as TCP. This context highlights TCP's critical role, reinforcing why it is recognized as the protocol commonly associated with internet communication.