1) An interface for network applications to access the network.
2) Provides means accepting data from different applications and directing that data to the recipient application on the receiving device (Multiplexing). Same way, on the receiving device the data need to be directed to the correct application, for that data was meant for (De-multiplexing).
3) Error checking, flow control, and verification. Two major protocols at the Transport layer, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP), work differently to achieve these goals.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): TCP is a reliable protocol. TCP provides extensive error control and flow control to ensure the successful delivery of data. TCP is called as a connection-oriented protocol.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP): UDP is not much reliable protocol. There is no error checking features for UDP and is designed for situations when extensive control features are not necessary. UDP is called as a connectionless protocol.
In the coming lessons we will look deeper how these protocols work to achieve the goals listed above.
You have learned what is the function of Transport Layer in TCP/IP protocol suit and what are the major protocols at Transport Layer. The major protocols at Transport Layer are Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Click "Next" to continue.
