Internet Protocol: Difference between revisions

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==How Does the IP Operate?==

Each computer or device, known as the '''"host"''', has at least one [[IP Address|IP address]] which differentiates it from other computers. When data is sent over the Internet the information is divided into small ~~bits~~ known as "packets", ~~which contain~~ the Internet address of the sender (packet's origin) and the receiver host address (destination device). ~~There are the two main numeric addresses and components~~ of ~~each data package~~.

Each computer or device, known as the '''"host"''', has at least one [[IP Address|IP address]] which differentiates it from other computers. When data is sent over the Internet, the information is divided into small pieces known as "packets". In addition to the data being sent, each packet contains various "headers". One of these include the Internet address of the sender (packet's origin) and the receiver host address (destination device). Other headers contain a variety of other information.

The Internet Protocol's main duty is to deliver these ''"packets"'' to the right destination, but it is not responsible for the order in which the packages arrive. Putting the packages into the right order so that the message/data/information is accurately sent is the responsibility of the [[TCP|Transmission Control Protocol]].<ref>[http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/definition/Internet-Protocol IP process]</ref>

The IP considers each package of data as a unique and independent unit of information ~~but~~ the IP must always be in contact with the [[TCP]] in order to send the message. The latest IP version is [[IPv6]] which succeeded [[IPv4]]. There are some important differences between IPv6 and IPV4 which make the last version more functional and effective.

The IP considers each package of data as a unique and independent unit of information. But the IP must always be in contact with the [[TCP]] in order to send the message. The latest IP version is [[IPv6]] which succeeded [[IPv4]]. There are some important differences between IPv6 and IPV4 which make the last version more functional and effective.

==IP Versions==

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'''IPv6 '''has 340 undecillion (340 x 10 ^36) addresses. To put this in perspective: consider our galaxy, the milky way has estimated 300 billion stars (300 x 10 ^9). This is to say there are a trillion trillion trillion more IPv6 addresses than stars in our galaxy.

~~The~~ main ~~challenge~~ facing the deployment of '''IPv6 '''however, is the lack of backward compatibility between '''IPv6''' and '''IPv4'''.

One of the main challenges facing the deployment of '''IPv6 '''however, is the lack of backward compatibility between '''IPv6''' and '''IPv4'''. Another significant challenge is the effort required, by users of IPv4, to convert their networks to IPv6.

Networks using '''IPv6''' cannot communicate directly to those, still dominant today, using '''IPv4'''.

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[[Category: Glossary]]

[[Category: Acronym]]

~~__NOTOC__~~

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ==How Does the IP Operate?==
-Each computer or device, known as the '''"host"''', has at least one [[IP Address|IP address]] which differentiates it from other computers. When data is sent over the Internet the information is divided into small bits known as "packets", which contain the Internet address of the sender (packet's origin) and the receiver host address (destination device). There are the two main numeric addresses and components of each data package.
+Each computer or device, known as the '''"host"''', has at least one [[IP Address|IP address]] which differentiates it from other computers. When data is sent over the Internet, the information is divided into small pieces known as "packets".  In addition to the data being sent, each packet contains various "headers".  One of these include the Internet address of the sender (packet's origin) and the receiver host address (destination device). Other headers contain a variety of other information.
 The Internet Protocol's main duty is to deliver these ''"packets"'' to the right destination, but it is not responsible for the order in which the packages arrive. Putting the packages into the right order so that the message/data/information is accurately sent is the responsibility of the [[TCP|Transmission Control Protocol]].<ref>[http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/definition/Internet-Protocol IP process]</ref>
-The IP considers each package of data as a unique and independent unit of information but the IP must always be in contact with the [[TCP]] in order to send the message. The latest IP version is [[IPv6]] which succeeded [[IPv4]]. There are some important differences between IPv6 and IPV4 which make the last version more functional and effective.
+The IP considers each package of data as a unique and independent unit of information.  But the IP must always be in contact with the [[TCP]] in order to send the message. The latest IP version is [[IPv6]] which succeeded [[IPv4]]. There are some important differences between IPv6 and IPV4 which make the last version more functional and effective.
 ==IP Versions==
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 '''IPv6 '''has 340 undecillion (340 x 10 ^36) addresses. To put this in perspective: consider our galaxy, the milky way has estimated 300 billion stars (300 x 10 ^9). This is to say there are a trillion trillion trillion more IPv6 addresses than stars in our galaxy.
-The main challenge facing the deployment of '''IPv6 '''however, is the lack of backward compatibility between '''IPv6''' and '''IPv4'''.
+One of the main challenges facing the deployment of '''IPv6 '''however, is the lack of backward compatibility between '''IPv6''' and '''IPv4'''. Another significant challenge is the effort required, by users of IPv4, to convert their networks to IPv6.
 Networks using '''IPv6''' cannot communicate directly to those, still dominant today, using '''IPv4'''.
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 [[Category: Glossary]]
 [[Category: Acronym]]
-__NOTOC__