IP stands for Internet Protocol. It’s the part of TCP/IP that handles addressing and routing. IP ensures that data packets find their way from the source device to the correct destination across different networks.

• Addressing

  • Every device on a network has a unique IP address (like a postal address) to identify it.
  • IP ensures that packets are sent to the correct destination using these addresses.

• Routing

  • IP decides the best path for data to travel through multiple networks (via routers).

• Packetization

  • IP breaks data into small pieces called packets, which travel independently and may take different routes.

• Reassembly

  • At the destination, IP reassembles the packets into the original data.

How IP Works

1. Packet Creation
   • The transport layer hands over segments to IP.
   • IP adds a header to create a packet, which includes:
     • Source IP address (where it’s coming from).
     • Destination IP address (where it’s going).
     • Other details like time-to-live (TTL), which prevents packets from looping forever.
2. Routing the Packet
   • Routers examine the destination IP address and decide the best path to forward the packet.
   • The packet may pass through multiple routers before reaching the destination.
3. Delivery
   • Once the packet arrives at the destination, the receiving device processes it and sends it up the stack for further handling.

Types of IP Addresses

1. IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
   • Most common; uses 32 bits for addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
   • Supports around 4.3 billion unique addresses.
2. IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)
   • Newer version; uses 128 bits (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
   • Can support trillions of unique devices.

IPv4: