Module 3: The Internet Protocol

Course: ELEC1 - Computer Essentials

Graystone Institute of the Philippines
Time Allotment: 2 hours Lecture, 3 hours Laboratory

Module Overview
This module introduces the Internet Protocol (IP) and its role in network communication. Students will
learn about IP addressing features, IPv4 network segmentation, IPv6 addressing formats, and dynamic IP
assignment using DHCP. Understanding these concepts is essential for configuring and managing modern
networks.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Explain the features of an IP address

2. Explain how IPv4 addresses are used in network communication and segmentation

3. Explain features of IPv6 addressing

4. Configure a DHCP server

3.1 The Internet Protocol

What is the Internet Protocol?

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a fundamental protocol that enables communication across networks by
providing addressing and routing capabilities. IP is responsible for:

Logical addressing - Assigning unique addresses to devices

Packet formation - Encapsulating data into packets

Routing - Determining the best path for data delivery

Reassembly - Reconstructing data at the destination

Key Features of IP Addresses

An IP address serves as a unique identifier for devices on a network. Key characteristics include:

1. Hierarchical Structure - IP addresses have network and host portions

2. Logical Addressing - Assigned by network administrators, not manufacturers

3. Routable - Can be used to forward packets across multiple networks

4. Two Versions - IPv4 (32-bit) and IPv6 (128-bit)

IP Address Components
Every IP address consists of:

Network Portion - Identifies the specific network

Host Portion - Identifies the specific device on that network

Subnet Mask - Determines which part is network and which is host

Example:

IP Address: [Link]
Subnet Mask: [Link]
Network: [Link]
Host: .10
3.2 IPv4 and Network Segmentation

IPv4 Address Structure

IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers expressed in dotted decimal notation:

[Link]

This represents four octets (8 bits each):

11000000.10101000.00000001.00000001

IPv4 Address Classes

IPv4 addresses are divided into five classes:

Class First Octet Range Default Mask Network/Host Bits Purpose

A 1-126 [Link] 8/24 Large networks

B 128-191 [Link] 16/16 Medium networks

C 192-223 [Link] 24/8 Small networks

D 224-239 N/A N/A Multicast

E 240-255 N/A N/A Experimental

 

Private vs Public IP Addresses

Private IP Ranges (not routable on the Internet):

Class A: [Link] to [Link]

Class B: [Link] to [Link]

 Class C: [Link] to [Link]

Public IP Addresses: Globally unique, assigned by ISPs, routable on the Internet

Network Segmentation
Network segmentation divides a large network into smaller subnetworks for:

Improved Security - Isolate sensitive data

Better Performance - Reduce broadcast traffic

Easier Management - Organize devices logically

Efficient IP Allocation - Use addresses more effectively

Subnet Masks
Subnet masks determine the network and host portions:

IP Address: [Link]
Subnet Mask: [Link]
Binary Mask: 11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000

Network ID: [Link]

Broadcast: [Link]
Usable Range: [Link] - [Link]

CIDR Notation
Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) provides a shorthand:

[Link]/24

The "/24" indicates 24 bits for the network portion (equivalent to [Link]).
3.3 IPv6 Addressing Formats and Rules

Why IPv6?
IPv6 was developed to address IPv4 limitations:

Address Exhaustion - IPv4's 4.3 billion addresses are insufficient

Simplified Header - More efficient processing

Built-in Security - IPsec is mandatory

No NAT Required - Every device can have a public address

Better Mobility - Improved support for mobile devices

IPv6 Address Structure

IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

This provides approximately 340 undecillion addresses (3.4 × 10³⁸).

IPv6 Address Format

Eight groups of 16 bits (4 hex digits) each

Separated by colons (:)

Case insensitive

Full notation:

2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0001
IPv6 Abbreviation Rules
Rule 1: Leading zeros in each group can be omitted

2001:0db8:0000:0042 → 2001:db8:0:42

Rule 2: Consecutive groups of zeros can be replaced with "::" (only once)

2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0001 → 2001:db8::1

IPv6 Address Types

1. Unicast - One-to-one communication
Global Unicast (2000::/3) - Internet routable

Link-Local (FE80::/10) - Local network only

Unique Local (FC00::/7) - Private addresses

2. Multicast - One-to-many communication (FF00::/8)

3. Anycast - One-to-nearest communication

Note: IPv6 has no broadcast addresses; multicast is used instead.

IPv6 Prefix Length

Similar to CIDR in IPv4:

2001:db8:acad::/48

The "/48" indicates the first 48 bits identify the network.

3.4 Dynamic Addressing with DHCP

What is DHCP?
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically assigns IP addresses and network
configuration to devices, eliminating manual configuration.

Benefits of DHCP
Automatic Configuration - No manual IP assignment needed

Centralized Management - Control all addressing from one location

Reduced Errors - Eliminates duplicate IP addresses

Efficient Use - Reclaims unused addresses

Easy Mobility - Devices automatically configure on new networks

How DHCP Works (DORA Process)

1. Discover - Client broadcasts request for IP address

2. Offer - DHCP server offers available IP address

3. Request - Client requests the offered address

4. Acknowledge - Server confirms and assigns the address

 Client DHCP Server
| |
|----DHCPDISCOVER (Broadcast)----->|
| |
|<-------DHCPOFFER-----------------|
| |
|----DHCPREQUEST (Broadcast)------>|
| |
|<-------DHCPACK-------------------|
| |

DHCP Configuration Parameters

A DHCP server provides:

IP Address - Unique address for the client

Subnet Mask - Network segmentation information

Default Gateway - Router IP address

DNS Servers - Domain name resolution

Lease Duration - How long the address is valid

Domain Name - Organization's domain

DHCP Address Pools

The DHCP server allocates addresses from a defined pool:

Network: [Link]/24
DHCP Pool: [Link] - [Link]
Reserved: [Link] - [Link] (Static assignments)
DHCP Lease Process

1. Lease Acquisition - Client obtains IP address

2. Lease Renewal - Client requests to extend lease (50% of lease time)

3. Lease Rebinding - Client broadcasts renewal if server doesn't respond (87.5% of lease time)

4. Lease Expiration - Address returns to pool if not renewed

DHCPv6
IPv6 can use:

SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration) - Client generates own address

Stateless DHCPv6 - Provides DNS and domain, client uses SLAAC for address

Stateful DHCPv6 - Full DHCP service like IPv4

Laboratory Activities

Lab 3.1: Identifying IPv4 Address Components

Objective: Practice identifying network and host portions of IP addresses

Activities:

1. Given IP addresses and subnet masks, identify:

Network ID

Broadcast address

First and last usable host addresses

Number of usable hosts

Lab 3.2: IPv6 Address Abbreviation
Objective: Practice writing IPv6 addresses in shortened format

Activities:

1. Convert full IPv6 addresses to abbreviated format

2. Expand abbreviated IPv6 addresses to full format

3. Identify IPv6 address types

Lab 3.3: Configuring a DHCP Server (Packet Tracer)

Objective: Configure and test a DHCP server

Activities:

1. Set up a network topology with router and clients

2. Configure DHCP pool on the router

3. Set DHCP parameters (DNS, gateway, lease time)

4. Test client automatic address assignment

5. Verify DHCP lease information

Lab 3.4: DHCP Troubleshooting

Objective: Identify and resolve DHCP issues

Activities:

1. Diagnose why clients aren't receiving IP addresses

2. Check DHCP pool exhaustion

3. Verify DHCP relay configuration

 4. Use ipconfig/ifconfig commands to release and renew addresses

Assessment Activities

Seatwork 3.1: IPv4 Addressing

Calculate network information for given IP addresses and subnet masks.

Quiz 3.1: IP Concepts

Multiple choice and short answer questions covering:

IP address features

IPv4 classes and ranges

IPv6 address structure

DHCP operation

Independent Activity: Network Planning

Design an IP addressing scheme for a small business:

Determine number of networks needed

Allocate IP ranges for each department

Plan DHCP vs static assignments

Document the addressing scheme

Key Takeaways
1. IP addresses provide logical addressing for network devices
 2. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses with network segmentation through subnet masks

3. IPv6 provides 128-bit addresses with simplified configuration

4. DHCP automates IP address assignment, reducing administrative overhead

5. Proper IP planning ensures efficient use of address space and network scalability

Additional Resources
RFC 791: Internet Protocol (IPv4)

RFC 2460: Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

RFC 2131: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

Cisco Packet Tracer for hands-on practice

Online subnet calculators for verification

Next Module Preview

In Module 4: Communication Between Networks, we will explore how routers connect different
networks, the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), and routing between networks to create fully
connected LANs.