How many layers does the TCP/IP model have?

How many layers does the TCP/IP model have?

• A. Seven
• B. Five
• C. Four
• D. Six

Answer: (B)

The TCP/IP model is described with four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, and Network Access. The Network Access layer covers how data is transmitted over a physical network and how frames are formed and delivered to the next hop, while the other layers handle the higher-level processes, end-to-end transport, and routing. Some texts split the Network Access into Data Link and Physical or present alternative naming that yields five layers, but that’s an alternate convention rather than the standard TCP/IP model. So, four layers is the conventional count.

The TCP/IP model is described with four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, and Network Access. The Network Access layer covers how data is transmitted over a physical network and how frames are formed and delivered to the next hop, while the other layers handle the higher-level processes, end-to-end transport, and routing. Some texts split the Network Access into Data Link and Physical or present alternative naming that yields five layers, but that’s an alternate convention rather than the standard TCP/IP model. So, four layers is the conventional count.