IPV4

Monday, October 16, 2023

8:25 PM

Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is one of the
core protocols of standards-based internetworking methods in the Internet and other packet-
switched networks.

An IPv4 address is written as four octets, each of which is a decimal number between 0 and 255.
The four octets are separated by periods (.). For example, 192.168.1.1 is IPV4 address.

IPv4 addresses are divided into two parts: the network address and the host address. The network
address identifies the network to which the device is connected. The host address identifies the
specific device on the network. The size of the network address and the host address is determined
by the subnet mask.

IPv4 addresses can be classified into five different types:

 Unicast addresses: Unicast addresses are used to identify a single device on the network.
 Broadcast addresses: Broadcast addresses are used to send packets to all devices on the network.
 Multicast addresses: Multicast addresses are used to send packets to a group of devices on the
network.
 Anycast addresses: Anycast addresses are used to send packets to the nearest device in a group of
devices.
 Reserved addresses: Reserved addresses are not used for normal communication on the Internet.

IPv4 uses a variety of protocols to route packets between networks. The most common routing
protocol is Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). BGP is used by Internet service providers (ISPs) to
exchange routing information.

IPv4 is a complex protocol, but it is essential for the operation of the Internet. It has served us well
for many years, but it is reaching its capacity. IPv6 is the next version of the Internet Protocol, and
it is being deployed to provide a larger address space and more advanced features.

Here are some additional details about IPv4:

 IPv4 uses a header to control the routing of packets. The header includes information such as the
source and destination addresses, the type of packet, and the size of the packet.
 IPv4 packets can be fragmented if they are too large to fit through a network link. Fragmented
packets are reassembled at the destination device.
 IPv4 uses a variety of error detection and correction mechanisms to ensure that packets are
delivered reliably.
 IPv4 is a connectionless protocol, which means that each packet is routed independently of other
packets.

1
IPv4 addresses are divided into five classes: A, B, C, D, and E. Each class has a different range of
IP addresses and a different number of network addresses and host addresses.

Class Leading bits Range Network addresses Host

addresses
A 0 0.0.0.0 - 127.255.255.255 126 16,777,214
B 10 128.0.0.0 - 16,384 65,534
191.255.255.255
C 110 192.0.0.0 - 2,097,152 254
223.255.255.255
D 1110 224.0.0.0 - Multicast addresses None
239.255.255.255
E 1111 240.0.0.0 - Reserved for experimental None
255.255.255.255 use

Class A addresses are used for large networks, such as the Internet backbone. Class B addresses are
used for medium-sized networks, such as corporate networks. Class C addresses are used for small
networks, such as home networks. Class D addresses are used for multicast traffic, which is traffic
that is sent to multiple recipients at the same time. Class E addresses are reserved for experimental
use.

It is important to note that the classful addressing scheme is no longer widely used. Instead, a newer
scheme called Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) is used. CIDR allows for a more efficient
allocation of IP addresses by allowing network administrators to subdivide their networks into
smaller subnets.

However, the classful addressing scheme is still useful for understanding the basics of IPv4
addressing. It is also used in some older network equipment.