How to add Options in IPv4 Header

Question

I am working on a project in which I need to add some options in the IPv4 header field. I am following this draft for the implementation. I have a doubt!

As the above mentioned draft says, I need to add atleast 32*5 = 160 bits to the header of IP packet but as far as I know the Options field in the IP header is only limited to 32 bits. How can I add options which have length more than 32bits? Also what should be the right approach for adding options if there are some options already present in the header!

Thank you!

Answer 1

Both your questions can be answered by reading RFC 791 on the Internet Protocol.

First of all, where did you get that Options field size? An IPv4 header can contain up to 40 bytes (320 bits) of options.

The length of the IP header is indicated in the Internet Header Length (IHL) field. It uses 32 bit words as the unit of length, so the total size of the header is the value of IHL times 32 bits.

Since the IHL is a 4 bit field, the maximum value is 15. This results in a maximum header size of 15 x 32, or 480 bits.

A minimal IP header without options is 160 bits (IHL = 5). This leaves 480-160, or 320 bits for options.

As for your second question, the structure of the option field is not free, it should contain an option list as defined on RFC 791, page 15. If options are present, you should add yours behind them, at the end of the list.