
Configuring IP Utilities
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304234-A Rev 00
The Bay Networks implementation of TCP generally ensures good terminal server
performance on slow-speed as well as high-speed LAN links. TCP services are
required to support upper-layer protocols, such as Telnet and FTP, which are part
of the TCP/IP suite.
TCP does not require reliability of the communication protocols below itself.
Therefore, TCP functions with lower-level protocols that are simple, potentially
unreliable datagram services. TCP uses IP for a lower-level protocol.
How TCP Works
TCP is connection-oriented. Therefore, before transferring data, you must first
establish a logical transport layer connection with a peer user. To establish this
connection, TCP uses what is sometimes called a “three-way handshake,” in
which the initiating TCP sends a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) with a synchronize
(SYN) bit set to 1 in its header. The responding TCP then sends back a PDU with
both the SYN bit and the Acknowledged (ACK) bit set, and possibly, some user
data. Time and, if necessary, retransmission are used to recover PDUs lost in this
process, allowing each side to indicate its starting sequence number. Because of
the possibility of lost or delayed PDUs, this three-way exchange ensures that
connections are established correctly.
Data transfer is straightforward, and follows the procedures for flow control and
acknowledgment. TCP performs all acknowledgment and assigns all credits in
terms of octets. A credit of eight (8), then, allows sending only 8 octets of data,
not 8 PDUs.
To release a connection, one TCP sends a PDU with the FIN flag set and a
sequence number one greater than that assigned to the last octet of the transmitted
data. Upon receipt of this PDU, the responding TCP sends back a PDU carrying
an ACK for the FIN’s sequence number and a FIN of its own (this ACK or FIN
may appear in the same PDU or in different PDUs). The TCP that sent the first
FIN must respond with an ACK for this new FIN. This rather complex procedure
allows a graceful close, ensuring that no data is lost during release of the
connection.
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