What factors account the success and popularity of TCP IP?

Answer 1

• Integrated Addressing System: TCP/IP includes within it (as part of the internet Protocol, primarily) a system for identifying and addressing devices on both small and large networks. The addressing system is designed to allow devices to be addressed regardless of the lower-level details of how each constituent network is constructed. Over time, the mechanisms for addressing in TCP/IP have improved, to meet the needs of growing networks, especially the Internet. The addressing system also includes a centralized administration capability for the Internet, to ensure that each device has a unique address.
• Design For Routing: Unlike some network-layer protocols, TCP/IP is specifically designed to facilitate the routing of information over a network of arbitrary complexity. In fact, TCP/IP is conceptually concerned more with the connection of networks, than with the connection of devices. TCP/IP routers enable data to be delivered between devices on different networks by moving it one step at a time from one network to the next. A number of support protocols are also included in TCP/IP to allow routers to exchange critical information and manage the efficient flow of information from one network to another.
• Underlying Network Independence: TCP/IP operates primarily at layers three and above, and includes provisions to allow it to function on almost any lower-layer technology, including LANs, wireless LANs and WANs of various sorts. This flexibility means that one can mix and match a variety of different underlying networks and connect them all using TCP/IP.
• Scalability: One of the most amazing characteristics of TCP/IP is how scalable its protocols have proven to be. Over the decades it has proven its mettle as the Internet has grown from a small network with just a few machines to a huge internetwork with millions of hosts. While some changes have been required periodically to support this growth, these changes have taken place as part of the TCP/IP development process, and the core of TCP/IP is basically the same as it was 25 years ago.
• Open Standards and Development Process: The TCP/IP standards are not proprietary, but open standards freely available to the public. Furthermore, the process used to develop TCP/IP standards is also completely open. TCP/IP standards and protocols are developed and modified using the unique, democratic "RFC" process, with all interested parties invited to participate. This ensures that anyone with an interest in the TCP/IP protocols is given a chance to provide input into their development, and also ensures the world-wide acceptance of the protocol suite.
• Universality: Everyone uses TCP/IP because everyone uses it!

This last point is, perhaps ironically, arguably the most important. Not only is TCP/IP the "underlying language of the Internet", it is also used in most private networks today. Even former "competitors" to TCP/IP such as NetWare now use TCP/IP to carry traffic. The Internet continues to grow, and so do the capabilities and functions of TCP/IP. Preparation for the future continues, with the move to the new IP version 6 protocol in its early stages. It is likely that TCP/IP will remain a big part of internetworking for the foreseeable future.