TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet and other computer networks. It provides end-to-end data communication, specifying how data should be packetized, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received.
The suite includes the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and the Internet Protocol (IP). TCP is a communications standard that ensures the successful delivery of data and messages over networks, while IP is responsible for addressing and routing data packets to ensure they reach the correct destination. The TCP/IP model consists of several protocols, including TCP and IP, and is widely used in current internet architecture.