Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (tcp/ip). tcp/ip is the primary protocol used to communicate across the Internet. It allows for (and in fact guarantees) the transmission of a packet of data from one IP address to another IP address. If the packet is lost along the way, the tcp/ip protocol is used to negotiate the retransmission of the data.

For a detailed explanation, see www,protocols,com/pbook/tcpip1,htm