> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/glossary/h-n/i.md). # I ## IANA IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) is the organization responsible for coordinating the global allocation of IP addresses and Autonomous System (AS) numbers, managing the root zone of the Domain Name System (DNS), and maintaining protocol number registries. IANA delegates regional allocation of IP addresses and AS numbers to the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). ## IPSec IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a protocol used for securing Internet Protocol (IP) communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet in a communication session. IPSec can provide confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for IP datagrams by using cryptographic techniques. It operates at the network layer, and can be used to secure communication between two network endpoints, such as between two routers, two hosts, or between a remote access client and a VPN gateway. IPSec can be used in tunnel mode or transport mode, and supports various encryption and authentication algorithms. ## IPv4 IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is a protocol used to identify devices on a network and route Internet Protocol (IP) packets between them.IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, which are expressed in four groups of numbers separated by dots, for example, 192.168.0.1. Each group represents 8 bits, allowing for a total of 2^32 or approximately 4.3 billion unique IP addresses. ## IPv6 IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6. It is a protocol used to identify devices on a network and route Internet Protocol (IP) packets between them.IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, which are expressed in eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons, for example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Each group represents 16 bits, allowing for a total of 2^128 or approximately 340 undecillion unique IP addresses.IPv6 was developed as a replacement for IPv4, which had a limited address space that was becoming increasingly depleted as more devices were being connected to the Internet. In addition to its expanded address space, IPv6 includes a number of other features, such as improved security, auto-configuration, and support for multicast traffic. ## IRR The Internet Routing Registry (IRR) is a distributed set of databases in which network operators publish their routing policies and route announcements. Routes registered in an IRR, typically as route or route6 objects, allow other operators and upstream providers to build prefix filters, validate BGP announcements, and prevent route hijacks or misconfigurations. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/glossary/h-n/i.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.