i knew tcp was reworked four times before 1983, but i wasn't so sure if number 4 of ipv4 derived from that truly. at least i fell into doubts too easily as someone got picky about that particular line; after all i could have missed something. anyhow, as adele told me: ask. and so i did.

the TCP protocol was re-worked four times. IP was split off at the point where we had specified TCP v3 we aligned the version number of IP to the version number of TCP. There was never a distinct IPv1 or IPv2.

Not long after we had specified TCP/IP v3 (two distinct protocols) we revised it again and we are using TCPv4 and IPv4 now. | vint

i don't understand their list nor the label stepfather.

One big moment that isn't often recognized, he says, is when DARPA -- working with a number of contractors, including Collins Radio, BBN and others -- demonstrated the first successful TCP connection traversing three dissimilar but interconnected networks. November 22, 2007, marked the 30th anniversary of that demo. | bob kahn

ok, i count: there was already a godfather, many fathers, now the stepfather. uncle, anyone?, may they find a mother in all upcoming anniversaries ...