Packet

Packet

An IPv4 packet header, depending on the options selected, can range in size from 160 bits (20 bytes) and 480 bits (60 bytes)

  • Version
    • 4 bits
    • Always set to 4 (0100)
  • IHL (Internet Header Length)
    • 4 bits
    • Specifies the number 32-bit words
      • 5 words end at the destination IP address
      • 6 or more mean that there are Options configured
  • DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point)
    • 6 bits
    • Identifies the kind of service the pack contains, and what priority it should receive, and how likely it is to be dropped during network congestion
  • ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification)
    • 2 bits
  • Total Length
    • 16 bits
  • Identification
    • 16 bits
  • Flags
    • 3 bits
  • Fragment Offset
    • 13 bits
  • Time To Live
    • 8 bits
    • Used to prevent routing loops
    • Indicates hop count, which each router decrementing the value by 1
  • Protocol
  • Header Checksum
    • 16 bits
  • Source IP Address
    • 32 bits
  • Destination IP Address
    • 42 bits
  • Options (if IHL is greater than 5)
    • Up to 320 bits long

IP-header-2.png
Source: Internet Protocol version 4 - Wikipedia

Metadata

OSI or TCP/IP Layer

Layer 3

CCNA Exam Topic

Contributors

Sources

Internet Protocol version 4 - Wikipedia

IPv6 Header

320 bits in total (40 bytes)

  • Version: 4 bits
    • Always 6 (0110)
  • Traffic class: 6+2 bits
    • QoS Markings
  • Flow Label: 20 bits
    • Used to identify specific traffic flow
  • Payload length: 16 bits
    • Length of the encapsulated Layer 4 segment
  • Next Header: 8 bits
    • Indicates the encapsulated Layer 4 protocol
  • Hop Limit: 8 bits
    • Functions like the IPv4 TTL field
  • Source Address: 128 bits
  • Destination address: 128 bits
    IPv6-Packet-header-1.png
    Source: IPv6 packet - Wikipedia

Metadata

OSI or TCP/IP Layer

Layer 3

CCNA Exam Topic

Contributors

Sources

Internet Protocol version 4 - Wikipedia
IPv6 packet - Wikipedia