Internet protocol definition of Internet protocol in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Internet Protocol

The communications protocol of the public Internet, many wide area networks (WANs) and most local area networks (LANs). The Internet Protocol (IP) is part of the TCP/IP protocol suite, and the terms "IP network" and "TCP/IP network" are synonymous.

Packet Switching
IP uses a packet-switched architecture, in which data are broken up into smaller "packets," with each packet containing a source address and destination address. IP packets are handed over to a data link layer protocol, such as Ethernet, for the actual, physical transmission to the next node in the network path.

IP is the Network Layer
While "IP" refers to the entire TCP/IP protocol suite, the term "IP layer" refers to just the network-to-network part, occupying layer 3 in the "protocol stack" (see below). To learn about IP networking, see OSI model, TCP/IP, TCP/IP abc's, IP address and IP on Everything.

The TCP/IP "Stack"

The layer 3 Internet Protocol resides in the middle of the TCP/IP stack. It accepts packets from the upper layer TCP or UDP protocols and hands them to a lower layer data link protocol. Within a local network, the data link protocol is typically Ethernet. Within the public Internet, the data link protocols are SONET, ATM, frame relay and Carrier Ethernet.

Internet protocol [¦in·tər‚net ′prōd·ə‚kȯl]

(communications)

The set of standards responsible for ensuring that data packets transmitted over the Internet are routed to their intended destinations. Abbreviated IP.

(networking)

Internet Protocol - (IP) The network layer for the TCP/IP protocol suite widely used on Ethernet networks, defined in STD 5, RFC 791. IP is a connectionless, best-effort packet switching protocol. It provides packet routing, fragmentation and re-assembly through the data link layer.

IPv4 is the version in widespread use and IPv6 is just beginning to come into use in 2000.

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No references found	Known as one of the Internet Protocol addresses that are considered private and special, 192168 Known as one of the Internet Protocol addresses that are considered private and special, 192. An Interesting Glance at 192.168.1.1 by John Grant / Computers and Internet community The dictionary encompasses the latest developments in areas such as passive optical networks, Bluetooth and WiMAX, storage area networks, session initiation protocol, and voice over Internet protocol. Webster's New World telecom dictionary by SciTech Book News Internet Protocol version 6, or IPv6, is the next generation Internet protocol, replacing the current version, IPv4. The new Internet by Arellano, Jonah / Rural Telecommunications	Internet Express Internet faxing Internet filter Internet firewall Internet forensics Internet forum Internet Foundation Classes Internet gateway Internet Go Server Internet Group Management Protocol Internet Information Server Internet Inter-ORB Protocol Internet keyboard Internet Mail Access Protocol Internet map Internet marketplace Internet meme Internet Message Access Protocol Internet monitoring Internet Monthly Report Internet Network Information Center internet number Internet Open Trading Protocol Internet PC Internet phone Internet protocol Internet Protocol Control Protocol Internet Protocol version 4 Internet Protocol version 6 Internet protocols Internet provider Internet Public Library Internet radio Internet refrigerator Internet Registry Internet Relay Chat Internet Research Steering Group Internet Research Task Force Internet roaming Internet router Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol Internet server appliance Internet Server Application Programming Interface Internet service provider Internet Society Internet speak Internet storage provider Internet Talk Radio Internet telephony Internet Telephony Service Providers Internet time	Internet postage Internet Pour Les Journalistes Internet Powerbook Internet Powered by Oracle Internet Presence Provider Internet Press Guild Internet Pricing and Configurator Internet PrimeNet Server Internet Printing Protocol Internet Privacy & Identity Credential Internet Privacy Coalition Internet Private Branch Exchange Internet Private Line Interface Internet Problem Solving Contest Internet Product Code Internet Produto Interno Bruto Internet Professional Association Internet Professional Publishers Association Internet Professional Sales Training Internet Professionals & Network Solutions Internet Professionals Special Interest Group Internet Professionnel des Infirmières Francophones Internet Program Guide Internet Project Kosovo Internet protocol Internet Protocol Access Terminal Internet Protocol Adapter Internet protocol address Internet protocol address Internet protocol address Internet protocol address Internet Protocol Address Manager Internet Protocol Addressing Internet Protocol Aggregation Internet Protocol Authentication Header Internet Protocol Backhaul Internet Protocol Ban Internet Protocol Basic Call Processing Internet Protocol Class of Service Internet Protocol Collaboration Tools Internet Protocol Communications Internet Protocol Communications Security Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network Internet Protocol Contact Center Internet Protocol Control Block Internet Protocol Control Protocol Internet Protocol Control Protocol Internet Protocol Datacasting Internet Protocol Detail Record Internet Protocol Detail Record Organization Internet Protocol Device Control Internet Protocol Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer Internet Protocol Digital Terminal

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Encyclopedia browser

Full browser

No references found

Known as one of the Internet Protocol addresses that are considered private and special, 192168 Known as one of the Internet Protocol addresses that are considered private and special, 192.

An Interesting Glance at 192.168.1.1 by John Grant / Computers and Internet community

The dictionary encompasses the latest developments in areas such as passive optical networks, Bluetooth and WiMAX, storage area networks, session initiation protocol, and voice over Internet protocol.

Webster's New World telecom dictionary by SciTech Book News

Internet Protocol version 6, or IPv6, is the next generation Internet protocol, replacing the current version, IPv4.

The new Internet by Arellano, Jonah / Rural Telecommunications

Internet Foundation Classes

Internet gateway

Internet Go Server