Final answer:
The question covers the six key fields of an IPv4 packet header: Source IP address, Destination IP address, Protocol, Time-to-Live (TTL), Options, and Error-checking. The 'Data payload size' refers to the transported data size and is not a header field. These fields enable efficient data routing and are essential for networking studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding IPv4 Key Fields
IPv4, which stands for Internet Protocol version 4, is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP) and it is widely used to identify devices on a network through an addressing system. The IPv4 header contains several fields, each with a specific function. Six key fields of the IPv4 packet header are:
- Source IP address: This is the IP address of the originator of the packet.
- Destination IP address: The IP address of the intended recipient of the packet.
- Protocol: Specifies the type of transport protocol (e.g., TCP, UDP) for the payload.
- Time-to-Live (TTL): A limit on the number of hops a packet can take before it is discarded, to prevent it from circulating indefinitely.
- Options: This field allows for additional features but is not frequently used and is optional.
- Error-checking: Represented by the Header Checksum field, it is used to ensure the integrity of the header data.
It is worth noting that, 'Data payload size' is not considered a header field, but it refers to the size of the actual data being transported. IPv4 packet headers facilitate efficient routing and delivery of data over networks, and understanding these fields is crucial for anyone studying network technologies.