IP stands for "internet protocol" and references a data protocol that is used for communication across a network. A protocol, then, is a standard that governs the connection of that contact between two points on a network. Protocol also references a set of guidelines or rules that govern the aspects of the communication across the network.

Ethernet is a data linkage that governs the network layer protocol known as IP. Ethernet consists of a series of computer technologies and properties used across Local Area Networks (or LANs). Ethernet generally provides each user with a unique global internet protocol (or IP) address. IP is basically the global address of your computer, and is concerned with the ultimate destination of information while Ethernet is concerned with the immediate next step in data transfer. Using the aforementioned metaphor of a child's phone, the Ethernet is focused on the two cans as opposed to the string.

IPv4 was the first version of IP to be widely used globally. IPv4 is, as you'd guess from the name, the 4th version of internet protocol; it now coexists with IPv6 on the internet today. The only forms of internet protocol that can be used on the WWW are IPv6 and IPv4. IPv4, and other internet protocols, offer no guarantees but do promise "best effort delivery." Actually, the "best effort delivery" protocol produces neither improved delivery nor a reliable standard of service or connectivity. This philosophy is somewhat analogous to a real-world post office. While the post office's operations are efficient and all available resources are utilized to ensure one receives their mail, there's also no guarantee of timely delivery.

A lack of data guarantee isn't the only place that IP falters. It can also end up corrupting data, losing connectivity, not granting connectivity to a network for an extremely long time, doubling up connectivity packets, and losing some connectivity packets which would result in not giving you a full connection. IP does not seem like a very reliable protocol, yet it is virtually the only choice there is for connecting to a network. In businesses that use voip systems or rely on voip conference calls, reliability can be a serious issue.

IP is a complex concept, but at the root it simply provides guidelines to technological aspects that transmit data or voice over ip services across a network. This happens because computers within that network have IP addresses that enable the reception of the data. With these IP addresses, data is assured proper receipt. The rest of the process, however, is up in the air thanks to the unreliable nature of the internet protocol or IP.