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References

This document references the following sources:

Normative References​

[1] Cerf, V., "The Catenet Model for Internetworking," Information Processing Techniques Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, IEN 48, July 1978.

[2] Bolt Beranek and Newman, "Specification for the Interconnection of a Host and an IMP," BBN Technical Report 1822, Bolt Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Massachusetts, revised, December 1981.

[3] Postel, J., "Internet Control Message Protocol - DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification," RFC 792, USC/Information Sciences Institute, September 1981.

[4] Shoch, J., "Inter-Network Naming, Addressing, and Routing," COMPCON, IEEE Computer Society, Fall 1978.

[5] Postel, J., "Address Mappings," RFC 796, USC/Information Sciences Institute, September 1982.

[6] Shoch, J., "Packet Fragmentation in Inter-Network Protocols," Computer Networks, v. 3, n. 1, February 1979.

[7] Strazisar, V., "Gateway Routing, An Implementation Specification," IEN 30, Bolt Beranek and Newman, April 1979.

[8] Postel, J., "Service Mappings," RFC 795, USC/Information Sciences Institute, September 1982.

[9] Postel, J., "Assigned Numbers," RFC 790, USC/Information Sciences Institute, September 1981.

Obsoletes​

This document (RFC 791) obsoletes:

  • RFC 760 - "DoD Standard Internet Protocol" (January 1980)
  • IEN 128, 123, 111, 80, 54, 44, 41, 28, 26

Current Status​

RFC 791 is designated as STD 5 in the Internet Standard series.

  • RFC 792 - Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
  • RFC 793 - Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
  • RFC 768 - User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
  • RFC 826 - Ethernet Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
  • RFC 894 - A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams over Ethernet Networks
  • RFC 950 - Internet Standard Subnetting Procedure
  • RFC 1122 - Requirements for Internet Hosts -- Communication Layers
  • RFC 1812 - Requirements for IP Version 4 Routers
  • RFC 2460 - Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification

Historical Context​

RFC 791 was published in September 1981 as part of the DARPA Internet Program. It represented the culmination of several years of development and refinement of the Internet Protocol, building on earlier versions documented in various IENs (Internet Experiment Notes) and previous RFCs.

The protocol defined in RFC 791 became the foundation of the modern Internet and remains in widespread use today, although IPv6 (RFC 2460) is gradually being deployed alongside IPv4.

Updates and Clarifications​

While RFC 791 has never been formally obsoleted, several RFCs have updated, clarified, or extended aspects of the IP specification:

  • RFC 1349 - Type of Service in the Internet Protocol Suite (Updated ToS definitions)
  • RFC 2474 - Definition of the Differentiated Services Field (DS Field) in the IPv4 and IPv6 Headers
  • RFC 3168 - The Addition of Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) to IP
  • RFC 6864 - Updated Specification of the IPv4 ID Field

Implementation Requirements​

  • RFC 1122 - Requirements for Internet Hosts -- Communication Layers (Section 3: Internet Layer Protocols)
  • RFC 1812 - Requirements for IP Version 4 Routers

These documents provide detailed implementation requirements and clarifications for hosts and routers implementing IPv4.

Additional Reading​

For a deeper understanding of the Internet Protocol and its historical development, consider:

  • RFC 1180 - "TCP/IP Tutorial" - An introduction to TCP/IP protocols
  • RFC 6274 - "IPv4 to IPv6 Transition" - Understanding the evolution to IPv6
  • STD 3 (RFC 1122 and RFC 1123) - Internet Host Requirements

Note: This references section is based on RFC 791 as published in September 1981. Many subsequent RFCs have built upon, clarified, or extended the basic IP specification defined here.

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