IP Protocol Runs as Software | Generated by AI
Yes, you’re essentially correct!
The IP protocol (Internet Protocol, both IPv4 and IPv6) is software/firmware that runs on virtually every networked device. It is not hardware-specific — it’s implemented in code.
Here’s where the IP protocol actually runs:
| Device Type | Where IP protocol runs | Example implementations |
|---|---|---|
| Computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Operating system kernel (network stack) | TCP/IP stack in Windows/Linux kernel |
| Mobile phones (Android, iOS) | Operating system kernel | Android Linux kernel, iOS XNU kernel |
| Routers & Switches (enterprise) | Usually specialized OS/firmware (Cisco IOS, Juniper Junos, Arista EOS, Cumulus Linux, etc.) | Runs in software on the router’s CPU |
| Consumer routers (home Wi-Fi) | Embedded firmware (often based on Linux or proprietary RTOS) | OpenWrt, ASUSWrt, DD-WRT, etc. |
| Layer-3 switches | Same as routers — they run full IP routing software | Cisco Nexus, Aruba, etc. |
| Even some “smart” appliances, IoT devices, cars, etc. | Tiny embedded TCP/IP stacks (lwIP, uIP, etc.) | Runs in firmware |
Key points:
- There is no hardware IP chip in normal devices that magically handles IP by itself. Even when people say “hardware routing” or “ASICs do forwarding,” the control plane (routing tables, ICMP, fragmentation, etc.) is still handled by software/firmware running on a CPU. The ASIC only accelerates the data-plane forwarding (looking up the routing table very fast) after the software has built the table.
- On end devices (PCs, phones), the entire IP layer is pure software inside the OS kernel.
- On routers/switches, the IP protocol suite is still software — just highly optimized and running on dedicated routing hardware.
So yes: IP is software, running everywhere — from your phone and laptop to the biggest core routers on the Internet.