What Is the Transport Layer?

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Let’s zoom out and have a look at the big picture.

Key Responsibilities of the Transport Layer

• Extends network to the applications: the transport layer takes messages from the network to applications. In other words, while the network layer (directly below the transport layer) transports messages from one end-system to another, the transport layer delivers the message to and from the relevant application on an end-system.

The Post Analogy

Imagine you post a package across the world. Presumably, a ship or an airplane would carry the message to the relevant country. However, the post system of that country would take it to the relevant address. The plane/ship is the network layer and ...