(IP) Internet Protocol

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules governing the transmission of data over the Internet and other similar networks. It is the primary protocol responsible for routing and delivering packets of data across the Internet.

IP is an important component of the Internet Protocol Suite, also known as TCP/IP, which is the standard set of protocols used for communication over the Internet. IP provides the ability to divide data into small packets, send them over different routes, and reassemble them into their original form at their destination.

There are two main versions of IP in use today: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, providing a much larger address space and better support for large-scale networks. The widespread adoption of IPv6 is underway as IPv4 addresses become increasingly scarce.

In summary, the Internet Protocol is a crucial component of the Internet that provides the basic routing and delivery mechanism for data transmission over the Internet.