When you send data across the Internet, it doesn't just magically appear at the destination. It passes through four distinct layers, each with a specific job. The TCP/IP model divides network communication into these layers: Application (what you see), Transport (reliable delivery), Internet (routing), and Link (physical transmission). Think of it like sending a letter: you write the message (Application), put it in an envelope with address (Transport), the postal service routes it (Internet), and it's physically carried by van/plane (Link)!
This introduction covers The Four-Layer Network Stack within TCP/IP Layers for GCSE Computer Science. Revise TCP/IP Layers in 3.5 Fundamentals of Computer Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 16 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 1 of 11 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for TCP/IP Layers
How many layers does the TCP/IP model have?
Describe what the Internet layer does in the TCP/IP model.