The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol — or, as it is known, TCP/IP — is the de facto standard for organizations around the world that need an open efficient networking solution today that brings interoperability to their varied computer resources. While the debate continues over the pros and cons of present and future networking technologies, TCP/IP has become firmly entrenched in a rapidly growing number of organizations that have discovered the appeal of this reliable networking protocol.
The reasons for TCP/IP’s popularity surge are many, but topping the list is that it is an established, well-understood technology. Created in the 1970s, it has evolved into a technically mature standard known for its stability and robust capabilities. The success of the Internet is clearly a tribute to the design and evolution of TCP/IP.
Just as important, TCP/IP is well-supported. Virtually all UNIX-based workstations come already equipped with TCP/IP. Most major hardware and software vendors have recognized its importance and have added support for TCP/IP. This high level of acceptance is critical for organizations planning both short-term and long-term networking strategies for their multiplatform, multiprotocol computer resources.
End-users have demanded a common, effective networking standard that enables their vast array of hardware and software to interoperate. And with actions that speak louder than words, end-users have chosen, and continue to choose, TCP/IP as a long-term, strategic networking solution.