What Makes an ISP Worth the Price?

What Makes an ISP Worth the Price?

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Speed and Bandwidth: Meeting Your Needs


When considering what makes an Internet Service Provider (ISP) worth the price, speed and bandwidth are two of the most crucial factors. IT services in sydney . But hey, it's not just about having the fastest connection possible. You've gotta think about what you actually need (and want) from your internet service.


First off, let's talk about speed. We all want a fast connection, right? No one enjoys buffering or slow downloads. But speed isn't everything, folks! Sure, you might be able to stream your favorite shows in high definition or download large files quickly, but if the speed isn't consistent, it can be super frustrating. An ISP that promises high speeds but can't deliver them consistently during peak hours might not be worth the money. So, it's important to research how an ISP's speed holds up in real-world scenarios.


Now, bandwidth is another key player in this game. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over your connection at any given time. If you've got a big family, or if you're someone who loves gaming or streaming, then you'll need a higher bandwidth to avoid those annoying slowdowns. And let's face it, no one wants to have a family movie night only to find out that the internet can't handle it! It's essential to find an ISP that offers enough bandwidth to meet your needs without breaking the bank.


Let's not forget about customer service either. Sometimes things go wrong, and when they do, you want an ISP that's gonna be there for you. You can have the fastest speed and the highest bandwidth, but if you can't get help when you need it, it's not worth much. So make sure to check reviews on how an ISP handles customer issues-this can be a real game changer.


In conclusion, speed and bandwidth are critical, but they're not the only things to consider when looking for an ISP that's worth the price. You've gotta weigh in reliability, customer support, and, of course, what fits your personal needs.

What Makes an ISP Worth the Price? - high uptime broadband services

  1. high uptime broadband services
  2. broadband providers with live chat support
  3. internet providers with 24/7 customer support in Sydney
After all, you don't wanna pay for something that doesn't meet your expectations! Finding the right balance will ensure that you get the most bang for your buck, making your internet experience a whole lot better.

Reliability and Uptime: Staying Connected


When it comes to choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP), two of the most critical factors are reliability and uptime. You really want to be connected without constantly worrying about your service dropping out, right? No one likes it when their internet goes down, especially during an important video call or while binge-watching their favorite show!


Reliability means that your ISP should be dependable. It shouldn't be a hassle to get a stable connection, and you certainly don't want to be facing outages every other week. I mean, who has time for that? A reliable ISP will have a solid infrastructure, and they should be able to maintain their service even during peak hours.

What Makes an ISP Worth the Price? - high uptime broadband services

  1. internet providers with DDoS protection
  2. VoIP solutions with unlimited calls
  3. high uptime broadband services in Melbourne
If they can't do that, then why would anyone pay good money for them?


Uptime, on the other hand, refers to the amount of time your internet is actually working. It's not just about having a connection; it's about having a connection that works when you need it.

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An ISP with high uptime will ensure that you're connected most of the time, which is essential for today's fast-paced digital world. No one wants to be caught with a buffering screen when they're trying to stream the latest episode of their favorite series (talk about frustrating!).


In conclusion, if youre shelling out cash for an ISP, you've gotta make sure you're getting both reliability and uptime. Its not just about speed and price; it's about staying connected when it matters most! So, before you make a decision, do your research and find out which ISPs in your area have a solid reputation for keeping their customers online. After all, nobody wants to deal with a flaky service that leaves them in the lurch!

Customer Service and Technical Support


When it comes to choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP), many factors come into play, but customer service and technical support often weigh heavily on the decision. You might think that speed and pricing are the only things that matter, but trust me, they're not! A great ISP can be a lifesaver when things go wrong, which they inevitably do at some point.


First off, let's talk about customer service. It's not just about having a friendly voice on the other end of the line (though that helps!). It's about how quickly they respond to your needs and how effectively they solve your problems. Imagine calling your ISP and being stuck on hold for what feels like an eternity. No one wants that! A responsive customer service team can make the difference between a frustrating experience and a pleasant one. If they're knowledgeable, they can resolve issues fast, and that's what you want, right?


Then there's technical support, which is crucial, especially for those who aren't tech-savvy. You could have the fastest internet in the world, but without solid technical support, you might as well be using dial-up. When your connection drops or your Wi-Fi isn't working, you don't want to be left in the dark. Knowing you can reach a skilled technician who can guide you through the troubleshooting process is invaluable. It's like having a safety net, so you can feel secure about your connection.


Moreover, some ISPs offer 24/7 support, which is a huge plus. Life doesn't stop at 5 PM, and neither should your internet support. If you have a late-night issue, you shouldn't have to wait until morning to get help. It's those little things that can make an ISP really stand out. Sure, you might pay a bit more for that kind of service, but think about the peace of mind it brings!


In conclusion, while speed and pricing are important, you shouldn't overlook customer service and technical support. They're not just add-ons; they're essential components that can make or break your experience with an ISP. So the next time you're choosing a provider, consider how much you value having reliable help when you need it. After all, a good ISP isn't just about the internet-it's about how they support you when things go wrong!

Data Caps and Throttling Policies


When it comes to choosing an ISP, data caps and throttling policies can make or break your experience! You know how frustrating it is when youre streaming a movie and suddenly the quality drops, or when you can barely use your phone because your data has been capped? Yeah, thats no bueno.


Now, some ISPs throw these restrictions on you thinking itll keep the network running smoothly. But honestly, who wants to be limited to only a certain amount of data? Its like having a strict budget for essential things like food and water. Ugh, that sounds ridiculous, right?


And dont get me started on throttling. Its like when youre downloading something important, and suddenly your internet speed slows to a crawl. Its annoying, to say the least. Youre paying for a certain speed, but then they throttle your connection, making you feel like youre being punished for using too much data. Its not fair at all!


But heres the thing: not every ISP treats their customers this way. Some companies offer unlimited data plans without any throttling, and it makes all the difference. You can stream, download, and use the internet as much as you want without worrying about going over your limit or your speed being capped. Its a breath of fresh air!


So, when youre looking for an ISP thats worth the price, definitely consider their data caps and throttling policies. You dont want to be stuck with a provider whos more restrictive than a social media app on a Friday afternoon. Trust me, youll appreciate the freedom of not having to worry about your internet usage all the time!

Security Features and Privacy Practices


When considering what makes an ISP worth the price, one of the most crucial aspects is their security features and privacy practices. Its not just about speed and reliability; customers also want to know their data is safe! In today's digital age, where cyber threats are constantly evolving, having robust security measures is vital.


For instance, a good ISP should offer encryption for data transmission. Without encryption, your personal information could easily be intercepted by hackers. Moreover, ISPs that provide regular software updates and security patches show theyre proactive about safeguarding their users. It's a red flag if an ISP doesn't prioritize these updates, as it might leave customers vulnerable to attacks.


Privacy practices are equally important. Many people don't realize that some ISPs collect and sell their browsing data to third parties. This is a big no-no for those who value their privacy. An ISP that has clear, transparent policies regarding data collection and usage can make a world of difference. If they don't sell your info, it's a sign they respect your privacy.


Furthermore, look for ISPs that offer features like a virtual private network (VPN) included in their packages. It's a great way to ensure your online activities remain private. However, not all ISPs provide this option, and some may charge extra for it. Thats something to consider when weighing the overall value.


Finally, customer support plays a significant role in this equation. An ISP that offers 24/7 support, especially for security-related issues, often proves to be worth the investment. If you can't reach someone when you face a problem, it's really frustrating and can negate any advantages their services might have.


In summary, when searching for the right ISP, don't just look at the price tag. Security features and privacy practices should be high on your list. You want an ISP that protects your data and respects your privacy. After all, what's the point of having fast internet if it puts your personal information at risk?

Contract Terms, Pricing, and Hidden Fees


Okay, so, like, what really makes an internet service provider (ISP) worth your hard-earned cash? It aint just about the advertised speed, ya know? Lets talk about the nitty-gritty: contract terms, pricing, and those sneaky, downright annoying hidden fees!


First off, contracts. Ugh. Nobody wants to be locked into a long-term deal, especially if the service is bad. Read the fine print, seriously! Are there early termination fees? (Theyre the worst!) What happens if they dont deliver the speed they promised? Dont just assume its all sunshine and roses. You gotta protect yourself, right?


Then theres the pricing game. Is that low introductory price going to skyrocket after a few months? Probably. And what about all those extra charges? "Equipment rental fees"? Gimme a break! "Installation fees" that are higher than your first months bill? Its enough to make you scream. You wouldnt believe the stuff they try to sneak in there.


And hidden fees... Oh, the hidden fees! These are the absolute worst! Late payment fees (even if youre only a day late!), "convenience" fees for paying online (talk about irony!), and fees for things you didnt even ask for! Its like theyre actively trying to nickel and dime ya to death! Make sure you comb through your bill each month; dont just blindly pay it!


So, yeah, finding a worthwhile ISP isnt easy. Youve gotta be a savvy consumer and really pay attention to all the details. Dont just be lured in by the promises of cheap internet. Consider all the factors, and dont be afraid to ask questions and negotiate! Its your money, after all! Good luck, youll need it! Whew, that was a lot!

Bundling Options and Additional Services


When youre searching for an Internet Service Provider (ISP), you might think its all about speed and pricing, but theres so much more to consider! Bundling options and additional services can really make a difference in what makes an ISP worth the price. You might not even realize how these factors can enhance your overall experience.


Let's start with bundling options. Many ISPs offer packages that combine internet, television, and phone services. This can be super convenient! Not only does it simplify billing (who wants multiple bills, right?), but it can also save you a good chunk of change if you're planning to use all those services. Plus, you often get better deals when you bundle rather than going for each service separately. However, you shouldnt just pick the first bundle you see. It's crucial to compare whats included in each package. Some might not have the channels you want or could have slower internet speeds than you need.


Then there are additional services. Some ISPs provide extras like security software, cloud storage, or even tech support. These can be worth their weight in gold, especially if you're not tech-savvy. Imagine having someone you can call if your Wi-Fi goes down or if you need help setting up your devices. That peace of mind can be invaluable!

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However, it's important to note that not all additional services are created equal. Sometimes, they might not be worth the extra cost. It's all about weighing the benefits against what you actually need.


Another thing to consider is customer service. An ISP that offers great support might be worth a little extra cash. You don't want to be stuck on hold for hours when you have a problem! Good customer service can make or break your experience with an ISP. It's not just about the internet speed; it's also about how easily you can get help when things go wrong.


In conclusion, when evaluating an ISP, don't just look at the basic price and speed. Bundling options and additional services can significantly impact the value you get. While you may not think of these factors at first, they can truly enhance your overall satisfaction. So, take your time, do some research, and you may just find an ISP that's worth every penny!

Citations and other links

The Internet Method (IP) is the network layer interactions procedure in the Web method suite for passing on datagrams throughout network limits. Its routing feature enables internetworking, and essentially establishes the Internet. IP has the task of supplying packages from the resource host to the location host only based upon the IP addresses in the packet headers. For this function, IP defines packet frameworks that envelop the data to be provided. It likewise specifies attending to techniques that are utilized to identify the datagram with source and location info. IP was the connectionless datagram solution in the original Transmission Control Program presented by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn in 1974, which was complemented by a connection-oriented service that ended up being the basis for the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The Internet method suite is therefore often referred to as TCP/IP. The first major variation of IP, Web Protocol variation 4 (IPv4), is the leading method of the Web. Its follower is Web Procedure version 6 (IPv6), which has actually remained in increasing implementation on the public Net considering that around 2006.

.
A server is a physical component to IT Infrastructure.

Information technology infrastructure is defined broadly as a set of information technology (IT) components that are the foundation of an IT service; typically physical components (computer and networking hardware and facilities), but also various software and network components.[1][2]

According to the ITIL Foundation Course Glossary, IT Infrastructure can also be termed as “All of the hardware, software, networks, facilities, etc., that are required to develop, test, deliver, monitor, control or support IT services. The term IT infrastructure includes all of the Information Technology but not the associated People, Processes and documentation.”[3]

Overview

[edit]

In IT Infrastructure, the above technological components contribute to and drive business functions. Leaders and managers within the IT field are responsible for ensuring that both the physical hardware and software networks and resources are working optimally. IT infrastructure can be looked at as the foundation of an organization's technology systems, thereby playing an integral part in driving its success.[4] All organizations who rely on technology to do their business can benefit from having a robust, interconnected IT Infrastructure. With the current speed that technology changes and the competitive nature of businesses, IT leaders have to ensure that their IT Infrastructure is designed such that changes can be made quickly and without impacting the business continuity.[5] While traditionally companies used to typically rely on physical data centers or colocation facilities to support their IT Infrastructure, cloud hosting has become more popular as it is easier to manage and scale. IT Infrastructure can be managed by the company itself or it can be outsourced to another company that has consulting expertise to develop robust infrastructures for an organization.[6] With advances in online outreach availability, it has become easier for end users to access technology. As a result, IT infrastructures have become more complex and therefore, it is harder for managers to oversee the end to end operations. In order to mitigate this issue, strong IT Infrastructures require employees with varying skill sets. The fields of IT management and IT service management rely on IT infrastructure, and the ITIL framework was developed as a set of best practices with regard to IT infrastructure. The ITIL framework assists companies with the ability to be responsive to technological market demands. Technology can often be thought of as an innovative product which can incur high production costs. However, the ITIL framework helps address these issues and allows the company to be more cost effective which helps IT managers to keep the IT Infrastructure functioning.[7]

Background

[edit]

Even though the IT infrastructure has been around for over 60 years, there have been incredible advances in technology in the past 15 years.[8]

Components of IT infrastructure

[edit]
Network switch

The primary components of an IT Infrastructure are the physical systems such as hardware, storage, any kind of routers/switches and the building itself but also networks and software .[9] In addition to these components, there is the need for “IT Infrastructure Security”. Security keeps the network and its devices safe in order to maintain the integrity within the overall infrastructure of the organization.[10]

Specifically, the first three layers are directly involved with IT Infrastructure. The physical layer serves as the fundamental layer for hardware. The second and third layers (Data Link and Network), are essential for communication to and from hardware devices. Without this, networking is not possible. Therefore, in a sense, the internet itself would not be possible.[11] It's important to emphasize that fiber optics play a crucial role in a network infrastructure. Fiber optics[12] serve as the primary means for connecting network equipment and establishing connections between buildings.

IT Infrastructure types

[edit]
Starlink

Different types of technological tasks may require a tailored approach to the infrastructure. These can be achieved through a traditional, cloud or hyper converged IT Infrastructure.[13]

Skills

[edit]

There are many functioning parts that go into the health of an IT infrastructure. In order to contribute positively to the organization, employees can acquire abilities to benefit the company. These include key technical abilities such as cloud, network, and data administration skills and soft abilities such as collaboration and communication skills.[14][15]

Future

[edit]

As data storage and management becomes more digitized, IT Infrastructure is moving towards the cloud. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) provides the ability to host on a server and is a platform for cloud computing.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ techopedia.com: IT Infrastructure Quote: "...IT infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources and services required for the existence, operation and management of an enterprise IT environment...", backup
  2. ^ gartner.com: IT Infrastructure Quote: "...IT infrastructure is the system of hardware, software, facilities and service components that support the delivery of business systems and IT-enabled processes...", backup
  3. ^ "ITIL® V3 Foundation Course Glossary" (PDF).
  4. ^ "What is IT Infrastructure?". www.ecpi.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  5. ^ "Beginner's Guide to IT Infrastructure Management". Smartsheet. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  6. ^ "What is infrastructure (IT infrastructure)? - Definition from WhatIs.com". SearchDataCenter. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  7. ^ "What is ITIL 4? ITIL 4 Framework & Processes Explained". BMC Blogs. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  8. ^ Hardware, Marco Ceppi 2018-03-29T10:30:38 87Z. "The evolution of IT infrastructure – from mainframe to server-less". ITProPortal. Retrieved 2019-11-28.cite web: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "What is IT Infrastructure?". www.ecpi.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  10. ^ "What is infrastructure (IT infrastructure)? - Definition from WhatIs.com". SearchDataCenter. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  11. ^ "What is the OSI Model?".
  12. ^ Barbut, Cornel (June 2018). "Fiber Optic Deployments in Romania between Metropolitan Fiber Optic Networks and Indoor Fiber Optic Infrastructure". 2018 10th International Conference on Electronics, Computers and Artificial Intelligence (ECAI). IEEE. pp. 1–3. doi:10.1109/ECAI.2018.8679021. ISBN 978-1-5386-4901-5.
  13. ^ "What is IT infrastructure?". www.redhat.com. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  14. ^ "10 IT Infrastructure Skills You Should Master". InformationWeek. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  15. ^ "What is IT Infrastructure?". www.ecpi.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  16. ^ "What is infrastructure (IT infrastructure)? - Definition from WhatIs.com". SearchDataCenter. Retrieved 2019-11-28.

Sources

[edit]

 

Internet protocol suite
Application layer
Transport layer
Internet layer
Link layer
 
Internet history timeline

Early research and development:

Merging the networks and creating the Internet:

Commercialization, privatization, broader access leads to the modern Internet:

Examples of Internet services:

The Internet Protocol (IP) is the network layer communications protocol in the Internet protocol suite for relaying datagrams across network boundaries. Its routing function enables internetworking, and essentially establishes the Internet.

IP has the task of delivering packets from the source host to the destination host solely based on the IP addresses in the packet headers. For this purpose, IP defines packet structures that encapsulate the data to be delivered. It also defines addressing methods that are used to label the datagram with source and destination information. IP was the connectionless datagram service in the original Transmission Control Program introduced by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn in 1974, which was complemented by a connection-oriented service that became the basis for the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The Internet protocol suite is therefore often referred to as TCP/IP.

The first major version of IP, Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), is the dominant protocol of the Internet. Its successor is Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), which has been in increasing deployment on the public Internet since around 2006.[1]

Function

[edit]
Encapsulation of application data carried by UDP to a link protocol frame

The Internet Protocol is responsible for addressing host interfaces, encapsulating data into datagrams (including fragmentation and reassembly) and routing datagrams from a source host interface to a destination host interface across one or more IP networks.[2] For these purposes, the Internet Protocol defines the format of packets and provides an addressing system.

Each datagram has two components: a header and a payload. The IP header includes a source IP address, a destination IP address, and other metadata needed to route and deliver the datagram. The payload is the data that is transported. This method of nesting the data payload in a packet with a header is called encapsulation.

IP addressing entails the assignment of IP addresses and associated parameters to host interfaces. The address space is divided into subnets, involving the designation of network prefixes. IP routing is performed by all hosts, as well as routers, whose main function is to transport packets across network boundaries. Routers communicate with one another via specially designed routing protocols, either interior gateway protocols or exterior gateway protocols, as needed for the topology of the network.[3]

Addressing methods

[edit]
Routing schemes
Unicast

Broadcast

Multicast

Anycast

There are four principal addressing methods in the Internet Protocol:

  • Unicast delivers a message to a single specific node using a one-to-one association between a sender and destination: each destination address uniquely identifies a single receiver endpoint.
  • Broadcast delivers a message to all nodes in the network using a one-to-all association; a single datagram (or packet) from one sender is routed to all of the possibly multiple endpoints associated with the broadcast address. The network automatically replicates datagrams as needed to reach all the recipients within the scope of the broadcast, which is generally an entire network subnet.
  • Multicast delivers a message to a group of nodes that have expressed interest in receiving the message using a one-to-many-of-many or many-to-many-of-many association; datagrams are routed simultaneously in a single transmission to many recipients. Multicast differs from broadcast in that the destination address designates a subset, not necessarily all, of the accessible nodes.
  • Anycast delivers a message to any one out of a group of nodes, typically the one nearest to the source using a one-to-one-of-many[4] association where datagrams are routed to any single member of a group of potential receivers that are all identified by the same destination address. The routing algorithm selects the single receiver from the group based on which is the nearest according to some distance or cost measure.

Version history

[edit]
A timeline for the development of the transmission control Protocol TCP and Internet Protocol IP
First Internet demonstration, linking the ARPANET, PRNET, and SATNET on November 22, 1977

In May 1974, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) published a paper entitled "A Protocol for Packet Network Intercommunication".[5] The paper's authors, Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, described an internetworking protocol for sharing resources using packet switching among network nodes. A central control component of this model was the Transmission Control Program that incorporated both connection-oriented links and datagram services between hosts. The monolithic Transmission Control Program was later divided into a modular architecture consisting of the Transmission Control Protocol and User Datagram Protocol at the transport layer and the Internet Protocol at the internet layer. The model became known as the Department of Defense (DoD) Internet Model and Internet protocol suite, and informally as TCP/IP.

The following Internet Experiment Note (IEN) documents describe the evolution of the Internet Protocol into the modern version of IPv4:[6]

  • IEN 2 Comments on Internet Protocol and TCP (August 1977) describes the need to separate the TCP and Internet Protocol functionalities (which were previously combined). It proposes the first version of the IP header, using 0 for the version field.
  • IEN 26 A Proposed New Internet Header Format (February 1978) describes a version of the IP header that uses a 1-bit version field.
  • IEN 28 Draft Internetwork Protocol Description Version 2 (February 1978) describes IPv2.
  • IEN 41 Internetwork Protocol Specification Version 4 (June 1978) describes the first protocol to be called IPv4. The IP header is different from the modern IPv4 header.
  • IEN 44 Latest Header Formats (June 1978) describes another version of IPv4, also with a header different from the modern IPv4 header.
  • IEN 54 Internetwork Protocol Specification Version 4 (September 1978) is the first description of IPv4 using the header that would become standardized in 1980 as RFC 760.
  • IEN 80
  • IEN 111
  • IEN 123
  • IEN 128/RFC 760 (1980)

IP versions 1 to 3 were experimental versions, designed between 1973 and 1978.[7] Versions 2 and 3 supported variable-length addresses ranging between 1 and 16 octets (between 8 and 128 bits).[8] An early draft of version 4 supported variable-length addresses of up to 256 octets (up to 2048 bits)[9] but this was later abandoned in favor of a fixed-size 32-bit address in the final version of IPv4. This remains the dominant internetworking protocol in use in the Internet Layer; the number 4 identifies the protocol version, carried in every IP datagram. IPv4 is defined in

RFC 791 (1981).

Version number 5 was used by the Internet Stream Protocol, an experimental streaming protocol that was not adopted.[7]

The successor to IPv4 is IPv6. IPv6 was a result of several years of experimentation and dialog during which various protocol models were proposed, such as TP/IX (

RFC 1475), PIP (

RFC 1621) and TUBA (TCP and UDP with Bigger Addresses,

RFC 1347). Its most prominent difference from version 4 is the size of the addresses. While IPv4 uses 32 bits for addressing, yielding c. 4.3 billion (4.3×109) addresses, IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses providing c. 3.4×1038 addresses. Although adoption of IPv6 has been slow, as of January 2023, most countries in the world show significant adoption of IPv6,[10] with over 41% of Google's traffic being carried over IPv6 connections.[11]

The assignment of the new protocol as IPv6 was uncertain until due diligence assured that IPv6 had not been used previously.[12] Other Internet Layer protocols have been assigned version numbers,[13] such as 7 (IP/TX), 8 and 9 (historic). Notably, on April 1, 1994, the IETF published an April Fools' Day RfC about IPv9.[14] IPv9 was also used in an alternate proposed address space expansion called TUBA.[15] A 2004 Chinese proposal for an IPv9 protocol appears to be unrelated to all of these, and is not endorsed by the IETF.

IP version numbers

[edit]

As the version number is carried in a 4-bit field, only numbers 0–15 can be assigned.

IP version Description Year Status
0 Internet Protocol, pre-v4 N/A Reserved[16]
1 Experimental version 1973 Obsolete
2 Experimental version 1977 Obsolete
3 Experimental version 1978 Obsolete
4 Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4)[17] 1981 Active
5 Internet Stream Protocol (ST) 1979 Obsolete; superseded by ST-II or ST2
Internet Stream Protocol (ST-II or ST2)[18] 1987 Obsolete; superseded by ST2+
Internet Stream Protocol (ST2+) 1995 Obsolete
6 Simple Internet Protocol (SIP) N/A Obsolete; merged into IPv6 in 1995[16]
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)[19] 1995 Active
7 TP/IX The Next Internet (IPv7)[20] 1993 Obsolete[21]
8 P Internet Protocol (PIP)[22] 1994 Obsolete; merged into SIP in 1993
9 TCP and UDP over Bigger Addresses (TUBA) 1992 Obsolete[23]
IPv9 1994 April Fools' Day joke[24]
Chinese IPv9 2004 Abandoned
10–14 N/A N/A Unassigned
15 Version field sentinel value N/A Reserved

Reliability

[edit]

The design of the Internet protocol suite adheres to the end-to-end principle, a concept adapted from the CYCLADES project. Under the end-to-end principle, the network infrastructure is considered inherently unreliable at any single network element or transmission medium and is dynamic in terms of the availability of links and nodes. No central monitoring or performance measurement facility exists that tracks or maintains the state of the network. For the benefit of reducing network complexity, the intelligence in the network is located in the end nodes.

As a consequence of this design, the Internet Protocol only provides best-effort delivery and its service is characterized as unreliable. In network architectural parlance, it is a connectionless protocol, in contrast to connection-oriented communication. Various fault conditions may occur, such as data corruption, packet loss and duplication. Because routing is dynamic, meaning every packet is treated independently, and because the network maintains no state based on the path of prior packets, different packets may be routed to the same destination via different paths, resulting in out-of-order delivery to the receiver.

All fault conditions in the network must be detected and compensated by the participating end nodes. The upper layer protocols of the Internet protocol suite are responsible for resolving reliability issues. For example, a host may buffer network data to ensure correct ordering before the data is delivered to an application.

IPv4 provides safeguards to ensure that the header of an IP packet is error-free. A routing node discards packets that fail a header checksum test. Although the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) provides notification of errors, a routing node is not required to notify either end node of errors. IPv6, by contrast, operates without header checksums, since current link layer technology is assumed to provide sufficient error detection.[25][26]

[edit]

The dynamic nature of the Internet and the diversity of its components provide no guarantee that any particular path is actually capable of, or suitable for, performing the data transmission requested. One of the technical constraints is the size of data packets possible on a given link. Facilities exist to examine the maximum transmission unit (MTU) size of the local link and Path MTU Discovery can be used for the entire intended path to the destination.[27]

The IPv4 internetworking layer automatically fragments a datagram into smaller units for transmission when the link MTU is exceeded. IP provides re-ordering of fragments received out of order.[28] An IPv6 network does not perform fragmentation in network elements, but requires end hosts and higher-layer protocols to avoid exceeding the path MTU.[29]

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is an example of a protocol that adjusts its segment size to be smaller than the MTU. The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and ICMP disregard MTU size, thereby forcing IP to fragment oversized datagrams.[30]

Security

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During the design phase of the ARPANET and the early Internet, the security aspects and needs of a public, international network were not adequately anticipated. Consequently, many Internet protocols exhibited vulnerabilities highlighted by network attacks and later security assessments. In 2008, a thorough security assessment and proposed mitigation of problems was published.[31] The IETF has been pursuing further studies.[32]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ The Economics of Transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) (Report). OECD Digital Economy Papers. OECD. 2014-11-06. doi:10.1787/5jxt46d07bhc-en. Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  2. ^ Charles M. Kozierok, The TCP/IP Guide, archived from the original on 2019-06-20, retrieved 2017-07-22
  3. ^ "IP Technologies and Migration — EITC". www.eitc.org. Archived from the original on 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  4. ^ GoÅ›cieÅ„, Róża; Walkowiak, Krzysztof; Klinkowski, MirosÅ‚aw (2015-03-14). "Tabu search algorithm for routing, modulation and spectrum allocation in elastic optical network with anycast and unicast traffic". Computer Networks. 79: 148–165. doi:10.1016/j.comnet.2014.12.004. ISSN 1389-1286.
  5. ^ Cerf, V.; Kahn, R. (1974). "A Protocol for Packet Network Intercommunication" (PDF). IEEE Transactions on Communications. 22 (5): 637–648. doi:10.1109/TCOM.1974.1092259. ISSN 1558-0857. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2020-04-06. The authors wish to thank a number of colleagues for helpful comments during early discussions of international network protocols, especially R. Metcalfe, R. Scantlebury, D. Walden, and H. Zimmerman; D. Davies and L. Pouzin who constructively commented on the fragmentation and accounting issues; and S. Crocker who commented on the creation and destruction of associations.
  6. ^ "Internet Experiment Note Index". www.rfc-editor.org. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  7. ^ a b Stephen Coty (2011-02-11). "Where is IPv1, 2, 3, and 5?". Archived from the original on 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  8. ^ Postel, Jonathan B. (February 1978). "Draft Internetwork Protocol Specification Version 2" (PDF). RFC Editor. IEN 28. Retrieved 6 October 2022. Archived 16 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Postel, Jonathan B. (June 1978). "Internetwork Protocol Specification Version 4" (PDF). RFC Editor. IEN 41. Retrieved 11 February 2024. Archived 16 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Strowes, Stephen (4 Jun 2021). "IPv6 Adoption in 2021". RIPE Labs. Archived from the original on 2021-09-20. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  11. ^ "IPv6". Google. Archived from the original on 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  12. ^ Mulligan, Geoff. "It was almost IPv7". O'Reilly. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  13. ^ "IP Version Numbers". Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Archived from the original on 2019-01-18. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  14. ^ RFC 1606: A Historical Perspective On The Usage Of IP Version 9. April 1, 1994.
  15. ^ Ross Callon (June 1992). TCP and UDP with Bigger Addresses (TUBA), A Simple Proposal for Internet Addressing and Routing. doi:10.17487/RFC1347. RFC 1347.
  16. ^ a b Jeff Doyle; Jennifer Carroll (2006). Routing TCP/IP. Vol. 1 (2 ed.). Cisco Press. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-58705-202-6.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference rfc791 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ L. Delgrossi; L. Berger, eds. (August 1995). Internet Stream Protocol Version 2 (ST2) Protocol Specification - Version ST2+. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC1819. RFC 1819. Historic. Obsoletes RFC 1190 and IEN 119.
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference rfc8200 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ R. Ullmann (June 1993). TP/IX: The Next Internet. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC1475. RFC 1475. Historic. Obsoleted by RFC 6814.
  21. ^ C. Pignataro; F. Gont (November 2012). Formally Deprecating Some IPv4 Options. Internet Engineering Task Force. doi:10.17487/RFC6814. ISSN 2070-1721. RFC 6814. Proposed Standard. Obsoletes RFC 1385, 1393, 1475 and 1770.
  22. ^ P. Francis (May 1994). Pip Near-term Architecture. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC1621. RFC 1621. Historical.
  23. ^ Ross Callon (June 1992). TCP and UDP with Bigger Addresses (TUBA), A Simple Proposal for Internet Addressing and Routing. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC1347. RFC 1347. Historic.
  24. ^ J. Onions (1 April 1994). A Historical Perspective On The Usage Of IP Version 9. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC1606. RFC 1606. Informational. This is an April Fools' Day Request for Comments.
  25. ^ RFC 1726 section 6.2
  26. ^ RFC 2460
  27. ^ Rishabh, Anand (2012). Wireless Communication. S. Chand Publishing. ISBN 978-81-219-4055-9. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  28. ^ Siyan, Karanjit. Inside TCP/IP, New Riders Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-56205-714-6
  29. ^ Bill Cerveny (2011-07-25). "IPv6 Fragmentation". Arbor Networks. Archived from the original on 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  30. ^ Parker, Don (2 November 2010). "Basic Journey of a Packet". Symantec. Symantec. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  31. ^ Fernando Gont (July 2008), Security Assessment of the Internet Protocol (PDF), CPNI, archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-02-11
  32. ^ F. Gont (July 2011). Security Assessment of the Internet Protocol version 4. doi:10.17487/RFC6274. RFC 6274.
[edit]
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