#readwise # Internet Layer - Wikipedia ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article0.00998d930354.png) ## Metadata - Author: [[wikipedia.org]] - Full Title: Internet Layer - Wikipedia - URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_layer ## Summary The internet layer is part of the Internet protocol suite that helps send data packets from one host to another using IP addresses. It connects different networks through gateways and provides basic functions like selecting the next hop for outgoing packets and passing incoming packets to the transport layer. The internet layer does not guarantee reliable delivery of packets; this task is handled by higher-level protocols like TCP. Key protocols in this layer include IPv4, IPv6, and ICMP, which help with communication and error management. ## Highlights The internet layer is a group of [internetworking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internetworking) methods, protocols, and specifications in the [[Internet Protocol Suite - Wikipedia|Internet protocol suite]] that are used to transport [network packets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_packet) from the originating [host](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_host) across [network boundaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Routing); if necessary, to the destination host specified by an [IP address](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_address). The internet layer derives its name from its function facilitating [internetworking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internetworking), which is the concept of connecting multiple networks with each other through [gateways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_(telecommunications)). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jhq0dz12d0rq332a2nasppnw)) ^1enta5 --- Because the internet layer of the TCP/IP model is easily compared directly with the [network layer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_layer) (layer 3) in the [[OSI Model - Wikipedia|Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)]] protocol stack, the internet layer is often improperly called *network layer*. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jhq0epq6d6rfv9g2y86h1azp)) ^d5er25 ---