TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol is a package of network protocols that include TCP, IP, UDP, ARP and others. These are called subprotocols. When someone say TCP/IP they most likely refer to the whole group.
It has been developed for Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANet) by US Department of Defence. Later it has been adopted by other network – Internet. Most of modern operating systems rely on this protocol as default, but Linux/UNIX was always using it.
TCP/IP became highly popular because of free licensing, simplicity, and open source. It can be modified by anyone without need for purchase anything. Another advantage of this suite of protocols in its scalability. It can be used with variety of different systems, interconnecting different Operating Systems.
TCP/IP is routable protocol. Network equipment can determine best path for data. It is effective solution for large networks.
