What is the internet protocol?

Summary

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a key part of how the internet functions, connecting billions of computers globally. It defines how data packets are structured and transmitted between computers. Every device connected to the internet uses IP to send data from a source to a destination. While IP handles packet delivery, it operates on a best-effort basis, meaning it does not guarantee delivery, the correct order of packets, or what happens after delivery. These limitations are addressed by other protocols like Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

Takeaways

• 🌐 The internet is a vast network connecting billions of computers worldwide.
• 📜 A protocol is a structured way for computers to communicate when connected to a network.
• 🖥️ The Internet Protocol (IP) is the common protocol that unites the internet, allowing devices to exchange data packets.
• 📡 Every computer connected to the internet runs the Internet Protocol, making it a defining feature of the internet.
• 📥 IP packets contain both a source IP address (where the packet originates) and a destination IP address (where the packet is going).
• 📤 The IP protocol is designed to move packets from one computer to another across the internet, even if multiple intermediaries are involved.
• 🚫 The IP protocol operates on a 'best-effort' basis, meaning it does not guarantee packet delivery.
• ⏳ IP does not ensure packets will arrive in the order they were sent.
• 📦 IP only handles packet delivery; it does not include instructions for what the receiving computer should do with the packet once it arrives.
• 👥 Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn are considered pioneers of the internet, having designed the foundational protocols for packet communication, including IP.

Q & A

What is the Internet Protocol (IP)?

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a structured way for computers connected to the internet to communicate. It is the common protocol that unites the internet, allowing devices to exchange packets of data across the network.

What does the Internet Protocol (IP) accomplish?

The primary goal of IP is to move packets of information from one source on the internet to a destination, ensuring that data travels from the originating computer to the receiving one.

What is the structure of an IP packet?

An IP packet consists of a header and data. The header includes several fields, such as the IP version, source IP address, and destination IP address. These addresses are crucial for guiding the packet from its origin to its destination.

What are the two most important fields in an IP packet?

The two most important fields in an IP packet are the source IP address (where the packet came from) and the destination IP address (where the packet is going). These addresses are vital for routing the packet across the internet.

How does the IP protocol handle the delivery of packets?

The IP protocol uses a 'best-effort' model, meaning it will try to deliver the packet, but it does not guarantee that the packet will arrive at its destination, nor that packets will arrive in the correct order.

What happens if an IP packet is lost or delayed?

If an IP packet is lost or delayed due to a network issue, such as a computer running out of space to store packets, the packet may not reach its destination, and the IP protocol will not retry or guarantee delivery.

Does the IP protocol guarantee that packets arrive in order?

No, the IP protocol does not guarantee that packets will arrive in the order they were sent. Packets can arrive out of sequence, and additional protocols (like TCP) are used to handle reordering.

What additional information is missing from the IP protocol that might be important for the receiving computer?

The IP protocol does not provide information about what the receiving computer should do with the packet after it arrives. This functionality is handled by other protocols in the network stack.

Who are considered some of the key figures in the development of the Internet Protocol?

Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn are considered key figures in the development of the Internet Protocol. Their work laid the foundation for modern IP and other protocols like TCP.

What does the term 'best-effort' mean in the context of IP?

'Best-effort' means that the IP protocol will try its best to deliver packets from the source to the destination, but it does not guarantee delivery, order, or completeness of the transmission.