IPverkko

IPverkko is the term used in Finnish to describe a network that uses the Internet Protocol (IP) to transport data. It covers private and public networks, including corporate local area networks (LANs), campus networks, service provider backbones, and connections to the Internet. The common feature is that data is addressed and routed using IP packets.

Technically, IP networks are packet-switched systems where data is divided into packets and forwarded by routers toward their destination. The IP layer provides logical addressing and routing, with IPv4 and IPv6 as the two core IP protocols. An IP address uniquely identifies a device on the network, enabling end-to-end communication when combined with appropriate transport and application protocols.

The standard TCP/IP protocol suite underpins IP networks. IP handles addressing and routing, IPv4 or IPv6, while the transport layer offers TCP or UDP for end-to-end delivery. Applications such as HTTP, DNS, and email run on top of these layers. Routing within IP networks uses interior gateway protocols (such as OSPF, IS-IS, or RIP) and exterior routing protocols like BGP for inter-domain paths.

Network management practices in IPverkko include address management (subnetting and DHCP), name resolution (DNS), and performance monitoring. Security considerations encompass encryption and privacy (IPsec and VPNs), regional firewalls, and access controls. NAT is commonly used to map private addresses to public ones when connecting to external networks.

In summary, IPverkko describes the technical foundation of modern digital communications, emphasizing IP-based addressing, routing, and the TCP/IP stack, across private networks and the broader Internet.