In computer networking, the Internet Protocol (IP) is the primary communication protocol used to transmit data across the internet. IP routing is the process of forwarding data packets from one network to another. In this blog post, we will discuss how IP allows devices to communicate with each other.
Let’s take a scenario where Bob, a user on a network, wants to communicate with a server that’s not on the same network. When Bob tries to access the server, his computer first checks whether the server is on the same network or not. If it’s not, Bob’s computer forwards the request to a default gateway, which is usually a router.
The router then forwards the request to other devices until it reaches the server. This process is called IP routing, and it’s essential for devices to communicate with each other across different networks.
To ensure that Bob’s computer can communicate with the server, there are a few basic things that need to be checked. Firstly, the computer needs to have the correct IP address configuration, including the correct IP address and subnet mask. Secondly, Bob’s computer needs to have a default gateway configured, which is the router that the computer forwards the request to. Lastly, Bob’s computer needs to have a DNS server configured, which provides the IP addresses of servers when Bob tries to access them using their domain names.
If there are any issues with Bob’s computer communicating with the server, these four core elements need to be checked and verified. This can be done using the command “ipconfig /all” on a Windows computer or by going to the properties of the network interface card on Bob’s computer via the control panel.
In conclusion, IP routing is a fundamental aspect of computer networking that allows devices to communicate with each other across different networks. By ensuring that devices have the correct IP address configuration, default gateway, and DNS server, we can troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise when communicating across networks.