netwerkstack

Netwerkstack, or networking stack, is the set of software components that implement network communication within a computer system or device. It provides the interface between application code and network hardware, enabling data to be transmitted to and received from other hosts across diverse networks. In practice, the term often refers to the operating system’s internal implementation, though embedded systems and network appliances have specialized stacks as well.

Architecture and data flow are typically organized in layers. The data path usually begins at the application via sockets, passes through the transport layer (TCP or UDP), through the Internet layer (IP), and into the link layer (such as Ethernet or Wi‑Fi), where the network interface card handles physical transmission. The kernel maintains state, addressing, routing, and quality of service; user-space components may provide libraries or daemons that assist with configuration and monitoring.

Protocols and features commonly handled by a netwerkstack include IP addressing, ARP, TCP and UDP, ICMP, DHCP, DNS, and higher‑level security protocols such as TLS/SSL. The stack may also implement network address translation (NAT), firewalling, tunneling, VPN support, congestion control, and error handling. Security is achieved through correct protocol implementations, cryptography, and secure configuration.

Implementations and scope vary by platform. Well-known examples include the Linux TCP/IP stack, the Windows networking stack, and BSD/macOS stacks. These stacks are modular and can be extended with kernel modules, driver support, and virtual network interfaces. In containerized and virtualized environments, features such as network namespaces and virtual bridges create isolated networking stacks for different workloads.

See also: OSI model, TCP/IP model, network interface card, socket API, routing.