What best describes a connection-oriented protocol like TCP?

A connection-oriented protocol like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is characterized by its ability to ensure reliable communication between devices. By establishing a connection before any data is transmitted, TCP guarantees the delivery of data packets. This means that it manages the flow of data, ensuring that the packets arrive in the correct order and can detect and retransmit any lost packets.

When a session is established, both communicating parties confirm the connection, which enables them to synchronize and coordinate the data transfer process. This feature is crucial for applications where data integrity is paramount, such as file transfers and video streaming.

Protocols that do not guarantee delivery typically fall under the category of connectionless protocols, which do not ensure that the data sent will arrive correctly or at all. Additionally, error checking is a vital aspect of TCP; it is designed to manage and correct errors that may occur during the transmission. Lastly, while TCP ensures reliable data transmission, it is not necessarily the fastest method available, as the overhead associated with establishing the connection and managing packet delivery can introduce latency compared to connectionless protocols.