Standardization: TCP/IP is a widely accepted standard in the networking industry, making it practical and reliable for solving real-world networking issues.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: It enables communication between different types of networks, allowing devices with diverse operating systems to interact seamlessly.
Open Protocol: TCP/IP is an open protocol suite, meaning it is not proprietary. This openness promotes interoperability and collaboration among different vendors and developers.
Scalability: The model’s client-server architecture is scalable, allowing networks to expand without disrupting existing services. This is beneficial for growing or changing network needs.
Unique Identification: Each device on the network is assigned a unique IP address, making it easily identifiable. This is crucial for effective communication and management.
Disadvantages:
Lack of Generality: The TCP/IP model is specific to the TCP/IP suite and cannot represent other protocol stacks, limiting its applicability to technologies like Bluetooth.
Complexity in Representation: It doesn’t clearly separate services, interfaces, and protocols, making it challenging to describe new technologies in emerging networks.
Absence of Clear Distinction: The model does not distinguish between the data link and physical layers, which have distinct functionalities. This can lead to confusion in understanding transmission processes.
Original Design Focus: Initially designed for wide area networks, TCP/IP is not optimized for smaller networks like Local Area Networks (LANs) and Personal Area Networks (PANs).