IP Header

bit # 0 version header length 7 8 15 16 23 24 31

TypeDS service 8 of ECN 16

protocol 0 D M F F

total length (in bytes)

Identification time-to-live (TTL) 8

Fragment offset header checksum

13 16

source IP address destination IP address options (0 to 40 bytes) payload

4 bytes

Header Description

VersionA 4-bit field that identifies the IP version being used. May IPv4, IPv6 Header LengthA 4-bit field containing the length of the IP header in 32-bit increments. Type of Service (ToS)A field designed to carry information to provide quality of service (QOS) features, TOS may be used between cooperating peers. 0 -----Normal delay. 1------Low delay. Depends on media . Total LengthSpecifies the length of the IP packet that includes the IP header and the user data. The length field is 2 bytes, so the maximum size of an IP packet is 216 1 or 65,535 bytes. Identifier, Flags, and Fragment OffsetAs an IP packet moves through the Internet, it might need to cross a route that cannot handle the size of the packet. The packet will be divided, or fragmented, into smaller packets and reassembled later. These fields are used to fragment and reassemble packets. Identification: This field is used by the recipient to reassemble messages without accidentally mixing fragments from different messages. This is needed because fragments may arrive from multiple messages mixed together, since IP datagrams can be received out of order from any device.

Flags. 3 bits. DF , MF DF, Don't fragment. 1 bit.

That Controls the fragmentation of the datagram.

MF, More fragments. 1 bit. That Indicates if the datagram contains additional fragments. R Reserved ? Time to Live (TTL)It is possible for an IP packet to roam aimlessly around the Internet. If there is a routing problem or a routing loop, then you don't want packets to be forwarded forever. The TTL field is initially set to a number and decremented by every router that is passed through. When TTL reaches 0 the packet is discarded. ProtocolIt identifies which protocol is encapsulated in the next data area. This is may be one or more of TCP(6), UDP(17), ICMP(1), IGMP(2), or OSPF(89). Header ChecksumA value calculated based on the contents of the IP header. Used to determine if any errors have been introduced during transmission.

Source IP Address32-bit IP address of the sender.

Destination IP Address32-bit IP address of the intended recipient. OptionsSecurity restrictions
Record Route: each router that processes the packet adds its IP address to the header. Timestamp: each router that processes the packet adds its IP address and time to the header. Source Routing: specifies a list of routers that must be traversed.

Padding - Used as a filler to guarantee that the data starts on a 32 bit boundary. If the option values are not a multiple of 32-bits, 0s are added or padded to ensure this field contains a multiple of 32 bits. Pay Load The field contains the Actual data.