IP Addressing in Computer Network

What is an IP Address?

Types of IP address in Computer Network

• IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
• IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)

• IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, which is the set of rules that govern how data packets should be formatted and routed across computer networks, including the global internet.
• IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numerical labels written in a dotted-decimal format, such as "192.168.1.1." Each part of the address represents 8 bits, allowing for approximately 4.3 billion unique IPv4 addresses.

IPv4 subnetting

• IPv4 subnetting is a technique used in networking to divide a larger IP address into smaller, more manageable subnetworks or subnets.
• Subnetting allows for efficient address allocation and improved network management.

Advantages of IPv4

• Widespread Adoption: IPv4 has been the dominant IP addressing protocol for decades, and it's widely supported by devices and networks worldwide.

Disadvantages of IPv4

• Lack of Security Features: IPv4 was designed without built-in security features, making it susceptible to various types of attacks.

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)

• IPv6 is the sixth and most recent version of the Internet Protocol.
• It was developed to address the limitations of IPv4, particularly the scarcity of available IP addresses.
• IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numerical labels written in hexadecimal notation.

Advantages of IPv6

• Vast Address Space: IPv6 provides an almost inexhaustible supply of IP addresses, ensuring the continued growth of the internet and the connection of countless devices.

Disadvantages of IPv6

• Compatibility: Not all devices, software, or networks fully support IPv6, necessitating dual-stack configurations that support both IPv4 and IPv6.

How does an IP address work?

• Addressing Devices: Every device that connects to a network, whether it's a computer, smartphone, server, or even a smart appliance, is assigned a unique IP address.
• Routing Data: When you send data from one device to another, such as requesting a web page or sending an email, the data is divided into packets. Each packet is tagged with the source and destination IP addresses.
• Network Layer Processing: The device sending the data (the source) uses its own IP address as the source IP and the recipient's IP address as the destination IP. This information is added to the packet's header.
• Forwarding Data: The data packet then enters the network infrastructure. Routers, which are specialized network devices, examine the destination IP address in the packet header.
• Hops: The data packet may pass through multiple routers and network segments, a process known as "hopping." At each hop, the router examines the destination IP address and decides where to send the packet next, moving it closer to its final destination.
• Delivery: Eventually, the data packet reaches the destination network and, subsequently, the destination device, thanks to the routing decisions made along the way. The receiving device uses its IP address to identify that the data packet is meant for it.
• Reassembly: Once all the data packets reach the destination, they are reassembled in the correct order to reconstruct the original message or content.
• Response: If necessary, the destination device generates a response or acknowledgment, which is sent back to the source using the source's IP address as the destination address.

Conclusion