Tracing a Route Overview: In this assignment, you will use a command line interface to execute a network command that can help to diagnose system or network problems. You will then discuss the basics of internal and external network IP addressing. Instructions: Think of a website you visit frequently. Go to your computer’s command line interface and use the route tracing command for your platform to trace the route from your computer to that website. • For Mac users, use the Terminal utility. For Windows users, use cmd, or Command Prompt. • Take a screenshot of your route results. • Investigate the IP address for the first three hops in your route. Who “owns” them? • Discuss these first three hops, and why they are the first three for your computer/network. Requirements: • Submit a Word document in APA format. • Two – three pages in length. Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.

Tracing a Route: Exploring Internal and External IP Addressing

Introduction

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot network problems is crucial. In this assignment, we will use a command line interface to execute a network command known as route tracing. By tracing the route from our computer to a frequently visited website, we can gain insights into the internal and external IP addressing systems. This assignment aims to investigate the ownership of the first three hops in the route and discuss their significance.

Methodology

To begin, we need to access the command line interface. Mac users can utilize the Terminal utility, while Windows users can use cmd or Command Prompt. Once we have the command line interface open, we can execute the route tracing command. This command allows us to track the path our data takes as it travels from our computer to the website in question.

After executing the route tracing command, we should obtain a list of hops or intermediate destinations that our data passes through. It is important to note that each hop represents a different network device, such as routers or gateways, that the data encounters en route to its destination. In this assignment, we will primarily focus on the first three hops in the route.

Analysis

Once we have the list of hops, we need to investigate the IP addresses associated with the first three hops. The IP addresses serve as unique identifiers for devices connected to the Internet. By examining the ownership of these IP addresses, we can gain insights into the entities responsible for the initial stages of our data’s journey.

The first hop typically represents our local network gateway or router. This device acts as the point of entry for data leaving our computer and entering the wider network. The IP address associated with this hop is usually allocated by our Internet Service Provider (ISP), making them the owner of this IP address. The ISP serves as the intermediary between our computer and the various websites and services we access.

The second hop often corresponds to a regional or backbone provider. This provider operates a large-scale network infrastructure that interconnects different regions or networks. They may lease network capacity to ISPs and other organizations, supporting the seamless traversal of data across the Internet. The IP address for this hop is owned by the backbone provider, who plays a critical role in ensuring efficient data transmission between networks.

The third hop is typically associated with the Internet backbone itself. This backbone represents the core infrastructure of the Internet and is responsible for routing data between various networks globally. The IP address for this hop is often owned by a major internet services company that operates a significant portion of the backbone infrastructure. These companies invest heavily in building and maintaining the backbone, ensuring its reliability and scalability.

Conclusion

Tracing the route from our computer to a frequently visited website allows us to explore the internal and external IP addressing systems. By investigating the ownership of the first three hops in the route, we can understand the roles played by our local network gateway, regional or backbone providers, and the Internet backbone itself. This assignment has provided insights into the significance of these hops and their importance in facilitating efficient data transmission across networks.