Summary of Exam Objectives

Understanding TCP/IP from the ground up is required to effectively manage a network whether LAN or WAN. TCP/IP is a suite of protocols originally developed by the Department of Defense in a project called the Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The first WAN implemented using these protocols was called the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET). It was during this time that TCP/IP was designed and developed as a standardized way for computers to communicate across a network.

From the DARPA experiment came the understanding that networking would become increasingly common – and increasingly complex. The OSI model was developed, based on the DARPA model, and approved by OSI subcommittee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The OSI model defined seven layers for standard, reliable network communications: physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, and application. The acronym commonly used to remember this is (in reverse order): All People Seem To Need Data Processing. The OSI model was covered in depth in Chapter 5. It will, however, continue to be used through the rest of the text. As you can see, the use of it becomes very important when discussing network protocols, the heart of this chapter’s content. For the Network+ exam, make certain that you memorize the OSI model and the placement of TCP/IP within it.