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Home / Glossary / TCP/IP

Glossary · Protocol

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

In plain language

The set of rules that lets every computer and device on the internet find each other and exchange data.

The metaphor

Like the postal system's rules for addresses, envelopes and tracking: any letter from anywhere can reach any mailbox.

Going deeper

How it works

IP gives every device an address and handles the route.
TCP makes sure the pieces arrive complete and in order.
Every office network uses it.
Firewall rules refer to its addresses and ports.

How WILDCARD handles it

Network covers the firewall and switches that run your office on these rules.

In practice

A router assigns each device an address.
A firewall allows web traffic and blocks the rest.
A support tech checks that a computer has a valid address.

A question owners ask

Do I ever need to think about it?

Rarely. When something is wrong with a connection, the first check is usually the address and gateway.

Where WILDCARD handles this

Network

Firewall managed and monitored
Switches kept current
On-prem Active Directory auth

Start with Network

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