IPv4 Addresses The Internet’s Backbone

IPv4 Addresses the classic protocol that makes everything tick. The protocol that identifies and forwards data packets between every device on the internet.

What are IPv4 Addresses

IPv4 Address Which is a number in binary, consists 32 bit, used to identify a device on a network Typically, it is written as four numbers, each from 0 to 255, separated by dots, in dotted-decimal notation. For example:

192.168.1.1

How IPv4 Addresses Works

Creating Packets When a device prepares to send data, instead of sending a large chunk of data as one single message, it breaks it down into smaller packets. Within each packet, information about the source and destination IP addresses, along with protocol and the data itself would also be present.

• Internet Routing The Routers: Smarter devices on the internet that examine each packet and forward it towards its destination based on the packet’s destination IP Address. They use routing tables to determine the best route to forward the packet towards.

• Packet Delivery: The packet is forwarded from router to router until it reaches the destination.

• Reassembly So that When the packets arrived at the destination, it will be reassembled again to exactly the original data.

IPv4 Address Space Challenge

The shortage of IPv4 addresses is one of the most pressing issues for the internet today. The help comes from the fact that fewer than 4.3 billion unique addresses exist in the IPv4 world, and growing numbers of real-world entities connected to the internet have exhausted the address space.

Solving the IPv4 Shortage

A few solutions have also been introduced to overcome this issue:

• Network Address Translation (NAT): NAT enables many devices on a private network to use the same public IP address. It has thus protracted the course of IPv4.

• Carrier-Grade NAT (CG-NAT): A more sophisticated kind of NAT that is utilized by internet service providers to utilize more IPv4 addresses.

• Next generation internet protocol: IPv7: While the next generation internet protocol is IPv7 it has a much larger address space capable to address billions of devices. IPv4 is here to stay and it will take a very long time to roll IPv6 out, even if v6 is deployed in a gradual way.

The Future of IPv4

A lot of experts in the field will tell you that ipv6 is the long term answer but ipv4 is not going anywhere for many years. With networks transitioning to IPv6 and commercial organizations introducing IPv4 network services, operators have a challenge but are working hard.

So there you have it

While IPv4 limitations exist, it has served as the backbone of the internet for over 40 years. This is what has made the internet so popular, its simplicity and effectiveness. IPv4 is something you need to know as we enter a more connected world.