|  | 8.6 | TCP/IP Fundamentals
| 8.6.4 | Why TCP/IP is supported by every operating system and millions of hosts worldwide
TCP/IP is the most used protocol suite to date because millions of hosts worldwide and every operating system utilize this protocol. TCP/IP is popular because it is flexible, compatible, and capable of performing well in both small and large network implementations. Because of historical reasons and the quality and versatility of its protocols, TCP/IP is the de facto standard set of protocols for the Internet.