Introduction to IPv4:
The Internet, as we know it, relies heavily on a protocol called IPv4, or Internet Protocol version 4. IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol and serves as the foundation for communication in computer networks. It facilitates the identification and location of devices on a network and enables the seamless transfer of data between them.
Binary to Decimal Conversion with IPv4 Example:
IPv4 addresses are represented in a 32-bit binary format, divided into four octets. Each octet is then converted to decimal for better human readability. For example, the IPv4 address 10111001.01101011.01010000.11100111 in binary is equivalent to 185.107.80.231 in decimal.
Definition of IPv4:
IPv4 is a communication protocol that assigns a unique numerical label (IP address) to each device participating in a network. It enables the routing of data packets between devices over the Internet. The 32-bit address space of IPv4 allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses, but with the exponential growth of the Internet, this address space has become insufficient.
Key Features of IPv4:
1. 32-Bit Addressing: IPv4 uses a 32-bit address space, allowing for 2^32 unique addresses.
2. Connection less Protocol: IPv4 operates on a connection less model, meaning each packet is treated independently and may take different routes to reach its destination.
3. Packet Switching: Data is divided into packets for efficient transmission across networks.
4. Scalability: While the 4.3 billion addresses were initially sufficient, the rapid growth of the Internet has led to address exhaustion issues.
Definition of Classes with Ranges:
IPv4 addresses are divided into five classes—A, B, C, D, and E. Classes A, B, and C are commonly used, with each class having a different range of IP addresses:
1. Class A (1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0): Supports a large number of hosts, with the first octet used for the network and the remaining three for host addresses.2. Class B (128.0.0.0 to 191.255.0.0): Suitable for medium-sized networks, using the first two octets for the network and the last two for host addresses.
3. Class C (192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.0): Ideal for small networks, with the first three octets reserved for the network and the last for host addresses.
"Private" and "Public" IP Addresses:
To manage the limited availability of IPv4 addresses, certain address ranges are reserved for private use within internal networks. These addresses are not routable on the public Internet. Common private address ranges include 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255. Public IP addresses, on the other hand, are globally unique and routable on the Internet.
Explain Sub-net Mask with Examples:
A sub-net mask is used to divide an IP address into network and host portions, allowing for efficient use of address space. It consists of a series of contiguous 1s followed by 0s. The network portion of the IP address is determined by the sub-net mask.
For example, consider the IP address 192.168.1.2 with a sub-net mask of 255.255.255.0. The sub-net mask in binary is 11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000. In this case, the network portion is 192.168.1, and the host portion is 2. This allows for the creation of smaller sub-networks within a larger network, optimizing address allocation.
In conclusion, IPv4 is a fundamental protocol in the world of networking, providing the addressing framework that enables communication across the Internet. Understanding its key features, address classes, and concepts like submitting is crucial for anyone involved in network administration and design. As the Internet continues to evolve, the transition to IPv6, with its vastly expanded address space, is underway to address the limitations of IPv4.
