IPv4 is an internet protocol that supports data communications in computer networks and is capable of identifying each unique address of a device connected to the internet.
What is IPv4
What is IPV4? IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the fourth version of the Internet protocol (IP) used to identify and transmit data packets over computer networks. It is based on standards for internetworking methods on the Internet and other packet-switched networks. Internet Protocol version 4 is the first version of technology produced by ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network), which is a computer network created by ARPA (Advanced Research Project Agency), United States Department of Defense.
How Many Bytes and Bits Does IPv4 Consist Of?
Internet Protocol version 4 consists of 32 bits, which are divided into four octets (blocks) of decimal numbers separated by dots. Each octet consists of 8 bits and can have a value between 0 and 255.
How Many Classes Does IPv4 Have?
Internet Protocol version 4 consists of 5 classes, each with a different block size and catering to different network needs:
- Class A
- IP Address Range: 1.0.0.0 to 126.255.255.255
- Number of Addresses: 16,777,216
- Identification: Prefix bit “0”
- Class B
- IP Address Range: 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255
- Number of Addresses: 65,536
- Identification: Prefix bit “10”
- Class C
- IP Address Range: 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255
- Number of Addresses: 256
- Identification: Prefix bit “110”
- Class D
- IP Address Range: 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255
- Used for multicast, where data is sent to a group of devices.
- Class E
- IP Address Range: 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255
- Used for experimental and research purposes.
Internet Protocol version 4 is the most widely used protocol today, although it has evolved into IPv6, which uses 128-bit IP addresses to overcome the limitations of IPv4 addresses. However, IPv4 remains widely used and is the main basis of today’s internet infrastructure. In the current era of digitalization, the newest internet protocol technology, namely IPv6, has emerged. The differences between IPv4 vs IPv6 are assessed from several aspects, including bit length, ease of address management, network security features, and more.
IPv4 addresses that are passed in the routing table are called interfaces. This means that the interface in the IPv4 routing table functions as a physical network interface through which data packets will be forwarded to their destination. When a data packet must be forwarded to a certain destination, the routing table on the router provides information about the interface that must be used to send the packet. This interface can be a physical port on a router that is connected to several networks or subnets.
Functions of IPv4
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) has several main functions in computer networks and the internet, including:
Identification and Addressing
The primary function of IPv4 is to provide unique identification to each device connected to the internet network. Every device connected to the internet is assigned a unique IP address to distinguish and identify that device on the network.
Sending Data Packets
IPv4 is used as a protocol for packaging and sending data packets over a network. Each data packet is equipped with an Internet Protocol version 4 header containing information about the sender’s and recipient’s IP addresses, as well as other information necessary for the proper delivery of the packet.
Routing
IPv4 is used to carry out the routing process, directing data packets from the source to the destination through a connected network. Each router in the network uses the IP address information in the IPv4 header to determine the best route for sending data packets.
Fragmentation
Internet Protocol version 4 also has a fragmentation function, which allows dividing data packets into smaller fragments if the packet size exceeds the maximum that the network or device along the route can handle. The fragments can then be reassembled by the recipient into the original package.
Service Handling
Internet Protocol version 4 supports several service handling options, such as Quality of Service (QoS) and Differentiated Services (DiffServ), which allow setting priorities and grouping data packets based on application needs or the type of service used.
NAT (Network Address Translation)
NAT (Network Address Translation) is a technology that allows the use of private IP addresses on a local network and translates them into public IP addresses when connected to the internet. This allows multiple devices in a local network to use a single public IP address, overcoming the limitations of available IP addresses.
Internet Protocol version 4 is a very important protocol in computer networks and the internet today. Even though a version of IPv6 has been developed with more IP addresses, Internet Protocol version 4 remains dominant and is the basis of existing internet infrastructure.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of IPv4
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Internet Protocol version 4:
Advantages
- Simplicity: IPv4 has a relatively simple structure and is easy to understand. The IPv4 header consists of information that is important for sending data packets, such as the sender’s and recipient’s IP addresses, control information, and checksums. This makes implementing and configuring a network with IPv4 easier.
- Wide Compatibility: Because IPv4 has been widely used for many years, almost all devices and operating systems support IPv4. This ensures broad compatibility across the network infrastructure, including routers, servers, and client devices.
- Mature Support and Development: IPv4 has been around since the beginning of the internet and has undergone extensive testing and development. Because it has been widely used, the problems and weaknesses of IPv4 have been recognized and addressed. Many other tools and protocols have been developed to work with IPv4, making mature support and development for IPv4 easier to find.
Disadvantages
- IP Address Limitations: One of the main disadvantages of IPv4 is the limited number of IP addresses. By using 32-bit IP addresses, Internet Protocol version 4 only provides around 4.3 billion usable IP addresses. In recent years, demand for IP addresses has exceeded available capacity, resulting in a shortage of relevant public IP addresses. This requires the use of techniques such as NAT (Network Address Translation) to share the limited IP addresses on the local network.
- Network Scale: In very large networks, such as today’s internet infrastructure, IPv4 administration and management become increasingly complex. Mapping and managing IP addresses, planning subnetting, and managing routing become more complex as networks grow in size and complexity. This requires network managers to implement solutions such as VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking) and CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) to optimize the use of IP addresses and routing.
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Types of IPv4 Addresses
IPv4 is an Internet protocol that uses a 32-bit version of IP addresses. The types of Internet Protocol version 4 addresses that can be recognized are as follows:
Public IP Address
A public IP address is a unique and globally accessible address on the Internet. Public IP addresses are used to identify devices that are directly connected to the Internet and can be accessed from outside networks. Public IP is different from Private IP. The difference between Public IP and Private IP can be seen in terms of function and use.
Private IP Address
A private IP address is an address used in a local network (LAN) and cannot be accessed directly from the Internet. Private IP addresses are used in local networks to provide unique identification to devices on the network and are not used globally.
In the use of public and private IP addresses, there are three blocks of private IP addresses set by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA):
- 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 (10.0.0.0/8)
- 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 (172.16.0.0/12)
- 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 (192.168.0.0/16)
Loopback IP Address
A loopback IP address is a special address in IPv4 that is used to test network communications on a local device. The most common loopback IP address is 127.0.0.1, which refers to the device itself. When used, data packets sent to the loopback address will be sent back to the device that sent them.
Apart from that, there are also several types of special IP addresses in Internet Protocol version 4, such as multicast IP addresses, which are used to send data to a group of devices connected in a multicast network, and broadcast IP addresses, which are used to send data packets to all devices in a connected network. It is important to note that although there are variations of IP addresses recognized in IPv4, their use and settings depend on the network configuration and specific needs.
Conclusion
IPv4 remains a fundamental protocol in the realm of computer networks and the internet. Despite the emergence of IPv6, Internet Protocol version 4 continues to play a crucial role in the existing internet infrastructure. Understanding its functions, advantages, disadvantages, and types of addresses is essential for anyone involved in network management and design.
Reference
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamat_IP_versi_4
Author: Hassan Rizky Putra S | Editor : Meilina Eka Ayuningtyas
