Internet protocols

The most important protocols and tools that enable traffic on the Net include:

TCP/IP. The term TCP/IP commonly designates the larger Internet protocol suite, which comprises hundreds of protocols hierarchically organized into the link, Internet, transport and application layers, where TCP is the key protocol of the transport layer and IP is the key protocol of the Internet layer. Basically, TCP controls the breakdown of messages into packets and their errorless end-to-end transport, while IP controls the addressing and routing of the packets.
DNS. The Domain Name System administers addresses on the Net and is the key protocol of the application layer. It enables connections on the Net by determining the hierarchical structure of a domain name (the core of a text-based web address (URL) and converting ('resolving') it into machine-readable and executable code.
HTTP. The Hypertext Transfer Protocol, another important protocol of the application layer, enables the exchange of data (text, graphics, audio, and video) through client-server communication implemented by browsers.
Email is delivered over the Net under its own protocols ^[1] .

Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) puts information on the Web ^[2] , a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) identifies a resource ^[3] , browsers display and interact with websites ^[4] , search engines retrieve specified information ^[5] , and web services extend the use of the Net ^[6] .

Standardization aspects are being taken care of by the following key organizations and associations:

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Principal international organization responsible for recommending and coordinating standards for the World Wide Web.
Internet Society (ISOC). International organization for promotion of development and use of the Internet. Its Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) branch promotes standards, derived from 'Requests for Comments', in cooperation with the World Wide Web Consortium.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Professional association promoting standards in electronics, communications, computer, and IT industries.

Worldwide, tens of thousands of autonomous systems run the Net, thereof a few very large ones (about 15) in Tier 1, all others in Tier 2. Interoperability of the systems is made possible through the Border Gateway Protocol and AS numbers assigned by regional Internet registries. Tier 1 providers sign peering agreements among each other and so can cover the total Net. Tier 2 providers also try to maximize access through peering, but have to pay transit fees for access to at least some portion of the Net (see also Wide-Area Internet Routing).

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