Some Important Point of IPv4

Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is one of the core protocols of standards-based internetworking methods in the Internet, and was the first version deployed for production in the ARPANET in 1983. It still routes most Internet traffic today,^[1] despite the ongoing deployment of a successor protocol, IPv6.

• IPv4 is a connectionless protocol for use on packet-switched networks. It operates on a best effort delivery model, in that it does not guarantee delivery, nor does it assure proper sequencing or avoidance of duplicate delivery. These aspects, including data integrity, are addressed by an upper layer transport protocol, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

• IPv4 uses 32-bit (four-byte) addresses, which limits the address space to 4294967296 (2³²) addresses.

• IPSec support is optional

• Fragmentation is done by sender and forwarding routers.

• Broadcast message is available.