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For which one of the following reasons does internet protocol(IP) use the time-to-live(TTL) field in IP datagram header?
  • a)
    Ensure packets reach destination within that time.
  • b)
    Discard packets that reach later than that time.
  • c)
    Prevent packets from looping indefinitely.
  • d)
    Limit the time for which a packet gets queued in intermediate routers.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
For which one of the following reasons does internet protocol(IP) use ...
  • The standard header that is used inIPv4IPv4 contains key information about an Internet Protocol (IP) packet. Information includes the source and destination IP addresses of the datagram, fragmentation control parameters, and packet length. Another key element of this header is the TTL field. The TTL field consists of a single byte and is capable of holding a value from 0–255.0–255.
  • Because IP is connectionless, the TTL field was included in the IP header by the original designers as a mechanism to limit the life span of packets within the network. A routing loop is the most common example used to illustrate why this functionality is required.
  • Without such a control mechanism, a routing loop could cause a packet to circle a network infinitely, depleting bandwidth and eventually destabilizing the network. As insurance against this outcome, the TTL value of an IP datagram is decremented by a value of one each time the packet is forwarded by a network device.
  • Thus, an IP packet can never be forwarded more than 254254 times, preventing the infinite packet loop problem.
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Most Upvoted Answer
For which one of the following reasons does internet protocol(IP) use ...
Explanation:

The Time-to-Live (TTL) field in the Internet Protocol (IP) datagram header is used to prevent packets from looping indefinitely.

Preventing Packet Looping:
When a packet is transmitted from a source to a destination over a network, it may pass through multiple routers. Each router forwards the packet to the next hop based on the routing table. However, in certain situations, a routing loop can occur where a packet continuously circulates between routers, unable to reach its destination. This can happen due to misconfigurations or errors in the routing protocols.

TTL Field:
To address the issue of packet looping, the TTL field is included in the IP datagram header. The TTL field specifies the maximum amount of time or hops that a packet can take before it is discarded.

How it Works:
1. When a packet is sent, the TTL value is set by the source device.
2. As the packet traverses each router, the TTL value is decremented by one.
3. If the TTL value reaches zero, the router discards the packet and sends an ICMP Time Exceeded message back to the source.
4. If the packet reaches its destination before the TTL value reaches zero, the destination device processes the packet and sends an ICMP Echo Reply message back to the source.

Benefits of Using TTL:
1. Prevents Infinite Packet Loops: By limiting the number of hops a packet can take, the TTL field prevents packets from circulating indefinitely in case of routing issues.
2. Ensures Efficient Routing: The TTL field helps in optimizing network performance by ensuring that packets are not needlessly forwarded beyond a certain threshold.
3. Facilitates Network Troubleshooting: When a packet is discarded due to TTL expiration, the ICMP Time Exceeded message provides valuable information for network administrators to identify and resolve routing problems.

Conclusion:
The Time-to-Live (TTL) field in the IP datagram header is used to prevent packets from looping indefinitely. By specifying a maximum TTL value, the IP protocol ensures that packets are discarded if they don't reach their destination within the specified number of hops or time. This helps in maintaining network efficiency and preventing routing issues.
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For which one of the following reasons does internet protocol(IP) use the time-to-live(TTL) field in IP datagram header?a)Ensure packets reach destination within that time.b)Discard packets that reach later than that time.c)Prevent packets from looping indefinitely.d)Limit the time for which a packet gets queued in intermediate routers.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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