What is ICMP and have you ever heard of it? Maybe there are still many who have never even heard of the function of ICMP. In fact, this is one very important role on the internet and computer networks. And basically, maybe you have used this feature from ICMP but are not aware of it.
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Is a protocol, the same as TCP, IP, and also UDP. This is very important in running the internet connection that you use. Let’s discuss further What is ICMP and its functions.
Table of Contents
Explanation About ICMP
We have been discussing this a while ago, but what exactly is ICMP? The Internet Control Message Protocol is a network layer protocol used by network devices to diagnose network communication problems. Primarily used to determine whether data reaches its intended destination in a timely manner.
Generally, this protocol is used on network devices, such as routers. ICMP is essential for error reporting and testing, but can also be used in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
What Are the Functions of ICMP?
It is often frowned upon by many network devices to send error messages and similar information. Very useful in supporting protocols in the internet protocol suite. So, basically the function of ICMP can be interpreted as maintaining network security and safety, and maintaining successful communication between devices. Surely this is a very important thing right?
It’s no wonder that ICMP is now very popular. If you ask its function, it has various functions that you need to know about.
Helping the Error Handling Process / Reporting If an Error Occurs on a Network
The first function is for the process of handling or reporting when an error occurs on a network device. So it is indeed a network layer protocol used by routers, intermediary devices, and hosts to communicate error or update information to other routers, intermediary devices, and hosts.
Help Control Procedure Or Setting Procedure On A Network
This is also one of the functions of ICMP. With this ICMP, every computer network device can run according to the procedures that have been set. This is a function that is considered important so that network devices do not go astray or have errors in the network transmission process.
Provides Error Control and Flow Control at the Network Layer or Network Layer
As you know, a network will have certain layers or layers at which a lot of packets pass through it. ICMP is in charge of carrying out controls on flows that can enter each of these layers.
So, this will be in charge of controlling the flow of information that is transmitted to the network layer or network arrangement so that various errors can be controlled.
Detect Errors on the Network, Such as Connection Lost, Network Congestion and so on
This is a very clear function, that is, when an error occurs on the network, such as a lost connection, network congestion, and other errors that occur on this type of network protocol, it will be able to detect it and you can find out where the problem is.
For example, on network devices such as routers. When ICMP detects an error, most routers or other network hardware will signal to ICMP that the host is unreachable, or the connection is lost.
ICMP Message Types
As a protocol on a computer network whose job is to deliver messages, ICMP will report the situation on the network by issuing messages. There are two types of messages that will be issued, namely ICMP error messages and ICMP query messages.
ICMP Error Message
This message is used on routers and hosts to notify the device that sent the datagram about a problem it encountered in its transmission. In the original ICMP version 6 alone for example, 4 different error messages were defined, all of which were described in the original ICMP standard.
Unreachable Destinations
Destination unreachable is a message that can go out on this ICMP. This message is generated if the IP datagram cannot be sent. The Type field with a value of 1 identifies this message. ICMP messages are sent to the source address of the retrieved packet.
Time Exceeded
When a router forwards a packet, it always reduces the hop limit by one. Remember, hop limits ensure that a packet doesn’t travel endlessly through the network. If the router receives a packet with a hop limit of one and reduces the limit to zero, it discards the packet, generates a Time Exceeded message with a code value of zero, and sends this message back to the source host.
This error can indicate a routing loop or the fact that the sender’s initial hop limit is too low. It can also tell you that someone is using the traceroute utility.
Problem Parameters
So, when an IPv6 node is unable to complete packet processing because it has a problem identifying a field in the IPv6 header or in the Extension header, it must discard the packet and must send an ICMP Parameter Problem message back to the source of the problem packet. This type of message is often used when errors that do not fit into any other category are encountered.
Source Quench
An ICMP-based mechanism used by network devices to inform data senders that packets cannot be forwarded due to buffer overflows. When a message is received by a TCP sender, that sender must reduce its delivery window to the respective destination to limit outgoing traffic.
ICMP Query Messages
The second is the ICMP query message. This type of message or node is used for error control or internet debugging. This message is usually used to ping a message. A router or host can send echo-request messages. It is used to ping messages to other hosts that whether the host is alive or not.
Echo and Echo Reply
This type of message is usually called a “ping”. Echos is mostly used for troubleshooting. When any 2 hosts have communication issues, a few simple ICMP Echo requests will indicate if the 2 hosts have the correct configured TCP/IP stack and if there is a problem with the route packets are taking to get to the other side.
Timestrap
This one message will provide the ability to determine the length of time an ICMP query message spends in transit, which is very useful for measuring latency across a given network.
AddressMask
the last one is the address mask. The message in this message query provides the host with the ability to determine the subnet mask used on the local network. This is accomplished by sending an Address Mask Request request message to the local broadcast address 255.255.255.255, which is then responded to with a Mask Reply message.
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