What type of protocol is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)?

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is classified as a connection-oriented protocol that ensures the reliable transmission of data packets across a network. This means that TCP not only sends data packets but also implements error-checking mechanisms. It accomplishes this by dividing the data into packets, assigning sequence numbers to each packet, and using acknowledgments to confirm that packets have been received correctly.

If a packet is lost or encountered an error during transmission, TCP can retransmit that packet to ensure complete and accurate data delivery. This reliability aspect is vital for applications where data integrity is crucial, such as web browsing, file transfers, and email communication, making TCP fundamentally different from unreliable protocols that do not guarantee error checking.

The other options do not accurately describe the functionality of TCP. For instance, a protocol that ensures packets are sent with no error checking contradicts TCP’s inherent design of error correction and reliability. Similarly, stating that TCP does not maintain a state of communication overlooks the fact that TCP maintains connection states through parameters such as sequence numbers and acknowledgments. Lastly, a protocol that cannot send ordered data misses the core feature of TCP, which is its ability to sequence packets and ensure that they are received in the correct order, thus maintaining the integrity of the data transmission.