Internet Protocol or IP is a connectionless protocol used by both the starting point and the destination for data communication over a packet-switched network.
What is an IP (Internet Protocol)?
It is a series of network protocols on which the Internet is based and allows data transmission between computer networks. Sometimes, it is called a series of TCP/IP protocols, according to the two most important protocols that contain it.
The most commonly used protocols in this family are Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP). Other protocols used are as follows;
IP Protocol Characteristics
The IP protocol is the fundamental basis of the Internet. After that, it moves datagrams from source to destination. The transfer level divides the data stream into datagrams. During its transmission, a datagram can be divided again into parts mounted on the target. The main features of this protocol are:
- Connectionless protocol.
- If necessary, smash the packages.
- Addressing using 32-bit logical addresses.
- If a packet is not received, it will remain on the network for a limited time.
- It distributes the packages in the best way.
- The maximum packet size is 65635 bytes.
- Verification is done by adding only the package header, not the data it contains.
This protocol provides an unreliable, disconnected information packet distribution service. Connectionless routing means that the information packets to be broadcast on the network will be processed independently and will try different routes to achieve their goals. The term untrustworthy means that, more than anything, the package is not guaranteed to be received.
IP Functions
Data on a network is sent in blocks known as packets or datagrams. It does not require any configuration before sending a packet to a new computer.
However, IP provides an unreliable datagram service. In other words, it does not determine whether the data reaches its destination. In addition, it only provides security for the headers. This security is provided through checksums.
For example, packets may arrive in a different order than other packets or not at all. It uses transport layer protocols like TCP for reliability.
In addition, the information to be transmitted can be broken into smaller packets called “datagrams.” These packets can be reassembled as needed. The fragments can take different paths depending on the state of the network.
Finally, IP headers contain the source and destination LAN addresses. They also determine the network partition of the packet switches and routers. This information ensures that the packets are delivered correctly.
IP Classes
They are divided by the number of bytes representing the network.
A Class
In class A, the Internet address represents the first-byte network.
The most crucial bit (the first bit on the left) is zero, meaning there are 2 7 (00000000 to 01111111) network probabilities with 128 probabilities. However, network 0 (bits of 00000000 values) is not available, and the number 127 is reserved to indicate its equipment.
Therefore, existing Class A networks range from 1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0 (the last bytes are zeros, indicating that this is not a computer but a network).
Binarily, a class A Internet address looks like this:
0 > Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
B Class
In a class B networking address, the first two bytes describe or indicate the network.
The first two bits are 1 & 0. So, this means that there are 214 (10,000,000,000,000 to 10,111,111,111,111) network probabilities, i.e., 16,384 possible networks. Existing Class B networks are, therefore, 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.0.0 networks.
In the binary file, a class B Internet address looks like this:
10 > Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
C Class
In a Class C IP address, the first two bytes show the network. The first three bits are 1, 1, and 0. This means there are 221 possible networks or 2,097,152 addresses. So, Class C networks range from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.0.
Binarily, a class C Internet address looks like this:
110 > Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Goal
The purpose of dividing IP addresses into three classes, A, B, and C, is to make it easier to search for a device on the network. In fact, with this notation, it is possible to first search for the network that the person wants to access and then search for the equipment within that network. Therefore, assigning an address is done according to the size of the network.
Classification of IP Addresses
1) Public IP
It is the LAN address that we define ourselves when connecting to other networks (Internet). Our ISP provider assigned this IP to us, and we have no control over it. In turn, it can be of two different types:
2) Static IP
Our fixed LAN address is assigned. This type is rarely used and is of no interest to the home user. ISP providers usually charge them an additional fee.
3) Dynamic IP
It is widely used. While connecting to the network (Internet), our ISP provider assigns us an available address at the time. This address changes each time we disconnect and reconnect to the Internet.
4) Private IP
It is the LAN address of each piece of equipment in our network (Introduction to Microcomputers | computer or any element connected via TCP/IP protocol).
Unlike public IP, we assign private IP, but it can be automatically assigned (using DHCP). Basically, those included in RFC 1918 are used.
Advantages and Disadvantages of IP Addresses
IP Protocol is designed for routing and has very high reliability, making it suitable for large and medium-sized networks as well as business networks. It is used around the world to connect to the Internet and web servers. It supports standard tools to analyze network performance.
The only disadvantage is that it is more difficult to configure and maintain than NetBEUI or IPX/SPX; It is also a bit slower in networks with low average traffic volume. However, it can be faster on networks with heavy traffic that many frames should be directed to.
It is used in business networks such as university campuses and business complexes, in small or home networks, and even mobile phones and home automation, where they use many routers and connections to host UNIX computers.
Addressing and Routing
The most complex structure of IP is addressing and routing. Addressing refers to how an address is assigned and how computer subnets are divided and grouped.
Routing consists of finding a route that connects one network to another. Although all teams execute it, it is mainly performed by routers. It is nothing more than computers that specialize in receiving and sending packets over different network interfaces, thus providing security options, redundancy of paths, and efficiency in using resources.
What is an IP Address?
A device within a network is identified using the Internet Protocol (IP). This identification is a logical and hierarchical number at the network level or level 3. This number corresponds to the OSI reference model.
However, this number should not be confused with the MAC address. A MAC address is a physical number and is assigned by the manufacturer. In contrast, an addressing number can be changed.
IP addresses are shown in decimal numbers. They have 32 bits divided into four parts called octets. Each octet can contain a value from 0 to 255. The highest number in 8 bits is 11111111. Each bit has a value of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64. Adding these values gives a total of 256, which is 255 plus 0.
When IPv4 addresses are expressed in decimal, each octet is separated by a “.” These octets can range from 0 to 255, with some exceptions. Leading zeros can be ignored (for example, 010.128.001.255 would become 10.128.1.255).
Users who connect to the Internet from home often use dynamic addresses. These addresses can change when reconnected, and this type of address is called a dynamic address.
However, Internet sites that require a permanent connection use fixed addresses. For example, mail servers, DNS, and web servers usually have a fixed or static address. This makes their location easy to find.
Machines are well suited to manipulating and hierarchizing numerical information. However, alternatives that are easier for humans to remember and use are preferred—for example, URLs and DNS domain name resolutions.
Routing
Routing is a mechanism that moves packets of information to their destinations in a network. This process ensures that packets follow a path from their source through the network.
In large networks or clusters of connected networks, packets may pass through many intermediate nodes. Several paths may be followed until they reach their final destination.
The metric associated with routing measures whether a particular path is “good.” The metric can include distance, cost, transmission delay, and number of hops. However, the metric favors the path with the least total delay.
In an ideal network, routing favors paths with the least distance. The metric can be based on cost, delay, or other factors. Routing is typically implemented at Layer 3 of the OSI reference model.
The Future of IP Protocol
Today, routing is a standard feature on the Internet. The most popular current network protocol is IPv4. However, IPv6 is the proposed successor to IPv4. IPv6 is gaining importance due to the exhaustion of available addresses on the Internet.
IPv6 offers 128-bit addresses, much more than IPv4’s 32-bit addresses. Versions 0 through 3 are reserved and unused. IPv6 is indicated for experimental protocol 5. Other versions are generally reserved for experimental protocols but are not expected.
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