BCA / B.Tech 17 min read

IPv4 | What is IPv4?

IPv4 in Hindi | What is IPv4?


  • IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, which is the most widely used protocol to enable data transmission between devices on the Internet.
  • It is one of the most basic technologies of networking, and it has been used in networking for many years. IPv4 still works in most networks today, although it is gradually being replaced by IPv6, which is its next version.
  • IPv4 is used to identify any device on the Internet and to send data to it through the network.
  • IPv4 is one of the oldest and most prominent technologies of the Internet Protocol, which laid the foundation of the Internet and spread it worldwide. Although it has some limitations, especially the shortage of address space, despite this, it is still an important part of the Internet and the world of networking today.
  • With the advent of IPv6, IPv4 is gradually being replaced, but this process will take some more time. The simple and stable design of IPv4 still makes it a reliable technology.

What is IPv4?

  • IPv4 is a numerical addressing system that uses a 32-bit address space. It was developed in the 1980s and has become a fundamental technology in networking. The format of an IPv4 address is 4 decimal numbers, each representing 8-bits (an octet). For example, an IPv4 address is something like this: 192.168.0.1.

Every IP address is divided into two main parts:

  • Network ID: This represents the initial part of the IP address and is used to identify the network part.
  • Host ID: This represents the final part of the IP address and is used to identify a specific device (like a computer, router, server, etc.) in the network.

IPv4 Addressing in Hindi | IPv4 Addressing

Through the IPv4 addressing system, each device is provided with a unique IP address, so that the device can be identified on the network. A 32-bit space means that a total of 2^32 possible IP addresses (about 4.3 billion) are available. IPv4 addressing is divided into five main classes:

  • Class A: This is for large networks, which have a large number of hosts. In a Class A IP address, the first octet is the network ID and the remaining three octets are the host ID. Its IP address range is from 1.0.0.0 to 126.255.255.255.

  • Class B: This is for medium-sized networks. In this, the first two octets are for the network ID and the last two octets are for the host ID. Its IP address range is from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255.

  • Class C: This is for small networks, which have fewer hosts. In this, the first three octets are the network ID and the last octet is the host ID. Its range is from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255.

  • Class D: This is used for multicasting, and its range is from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.

  • Class E: This is reserved for future use or research. Its range is from 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.

Main Component of IPv4 in Hindi | Important components of IPv4:

  • DNS (Domain Name System): Since IP addresses are numerical, which can be difficult for humans to remember. DNS is used to convert IP addresses into domain names (like www.google.com). DNS makes the functioning of IPv4 simple and user-friendly.
  • NAT (Network Address Translation): Given the limitation of the IPv4 address space, NAT is used, which allows multiple private IP addresses to be accessed on the Internet through a single public IP address. This helps to reduce the consumption of addresses and has been helpful in extending the life of IPv4.
  • DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): DHCP is used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices. This makes network administration easier, as there is no need to manually assign IP addresses.

Advantages of IPv4 in Hindi | Advantages of IPv4:

  • Simplicity and Stability: The design of IPv4 is simple and easy to understand, so it has been widely adopted. Its technology is stable and tested, which is why it still works very successfully today.
  • System Reliability: The structure of IPv4 is very strong and it enables communication between a large number of devices and networks. Even after many years of its use in the network, it has proven to be reliable.
  • Wide Compatibility: Due to IPv4 compatibility, it is supported by various hardware and software platforms around the world. It works easily with different devices and networks.

Disadvantages of IPv4 in Hindi | Disadvantages of IPv4:

  • Shortage of Address Space: Since IPv4 only uses a 32-bit address space, it has a total of about 4.3 billion addresses. Due to the constantly growing use of the Internet and the increase in the number of smart devices, IPv4 addresses have become scarce.
  • Security: IPv4 lacks inbuilt security features, which makes its data packets easy to hack. However, it can be secured by using additional security protocols like IPsec, but this is not a native part of IPv4.
  • Limitations of multicasting and mobile networking: IPv4 has limitations in its multicasting and mobile networking features, which cannot fully handle modern internet and networking requirements.

Future of IPv4 and evolution of IPv6 in Hindi | The future of IPv4 and the evolution of IPv6:

  • Given the limitations of IPv4, IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) has been developed, which addresses the shortage of address space and provides many advanced features. IPv6 uses 128-bit addressing, which provides an almost infinite number of addresses. Also, IPv6 has the ability to better handle modern networking requirements like security, auto-configuration, and multicasting.
  • However, the rollout of IPv6 has begun and it is gradually being adopted, but IPv4 is still in wide use. Due to the uniqueness, simplicity, and reliability of IPv4, it is still playing an important role.

In this Chapter

IPv4 | What is IPv4?
Auto-Configuration and Anycast
Modified EUI-64 | What is Modified EUI-64?
Architecture of Mobile Computing
Wireless LAN in Hindi | What is Wireless LAN?
Wireless User Devices
MAC Protocol | What is MAC Protocol?
IEEE 802.11 | What is IEEE 802.11
Mobile IP | What is Mobile IP
Wireless TCP/IP
Unicast & Multicast Communication
Bluetooth | What is Bluetooth?
NS2 & NAM | What are NS2 and NAM?
Purpose & installation of NS2 & NAM
Background of NS2 & NAM
Architecture of NS2 & NAM
Interface of OTcl & C++
Trace Files & Formats
Protocol Support of NS2
Simulation Object of NS2 & NAM
Basic Syntax of NS2 & NAM
Node Creation of NS2 & NAM
Running NS2 & NAM
Finish Procedure NS2 & NAM
Invoking external commands within NS2
Nodes & Agents of NS2 & NAM
NS2 Commands
Creating Links in Wired Network
Setting Link Parameters
Sending Traffics Through NS2 Links
Routing Protocol Support of NS2
Scenarios in Wired Networks
Additional Parameters
Setting node positions
God object & topography
Protocol Support
Scenarios in Wireless Networks
What is the Internet? Difference Between Intranet and Extranet
Types of Internet
OSI Model and its Layers
Computer Network (CN) All Important Questions and Answers in English (MDSU)
BCA | Computer Network | 2025 Paper | MDSU Exam Paper
Importance of the Layer Model in Computer Networks
Network Classification
Network Topology
Network Switching & Components
Ethernet
Token Ring
Basic Networking Concepts & Cabling
What is a Computer in English?
Bridges in Computer Networks
Routers in Computer Networks
Gateways in Computer Networks
Public & Private Networks
FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)
BCA | CN(Computer Network) Paper | 2023 MDSU Exam Paper
What is World Wide Web (WWW)
TDMA, SDMA, CDMA
Personal Communication System | What is PCS
Subnetting IPv4 Address
Casting in IPv4
Private IPv4 Addressing
IPv4 Address Scheme
IPv6 Addressing Scheme
Types of IPv6 Addressing