34 lines
928 B
Markdown
34 lines
928 B
Markdown
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---
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title: IP_addresses
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tags: [network, internet]
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created: Friday, August 16, 2024
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---
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# IP addresses
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## IPv4 vs IPv6
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IP addresses come in two formats and bit-lengths depending on which version of
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the [Internet Protocol](Internet_Layer_of_Internet_Protocol.md) is being used.
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- IPv4 addresses are 32-bits in length
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- IPv6 addresses are 128-bits in length
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The larger the bit-length, the more unique addresses that can be generated. Thus
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IPv6 can create more addresses that IPv4.
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This entry focuses on IPv4 addresses.
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## Anatomy of an IPv4 address
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Each of the 32 bits are divided into four groups which are each 8 bits (a byte)
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in length. Each group therefore comprises an octet and is separated by dots.
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The decimal number system, rather than binary is used to represent the values.
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Thus each octet comprises three decimal digits as 8-bits = 2^3.
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The 32 bits form two sections:
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- the **network prefix**
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- the **host**
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