TCP/IP Model

2. Data Encapsulation in the TCP/IP Model

Concept: As data moves from the Application layer to the Link layer, each layer adds its own header (and sometimes trailer) to the data, a process called encapsulation. At the receiving end, layers remove their headers to retrieve the original data.

Process:

1. Application Layer: User data is created (e.g., an HTTP request for a webpage).

2. Transport Layer: Data is segmented, and a header is added (e.g., TCP header with source/destination ports).

3. Internet Layer: A header is added with logical addresses (e.g., IP header with source/destination IP addresses).

4. Link Layer: Data is framed with a header and trailer (e.g., Ethernet frame with MAC addresses) and transmitted as bits.

Decapsulation: At the destination, each layer removes its header, passing the data upward until the application receives it.