IPv4 Fragmentation M-bit Numerical Example 11

An IP datagram arrives with fragmentation offset of 0 and an M bit (more fragment bit) of O. Is this the first fragment, middle fragment, or last fragment?

You’re given a packet with
Offset = 0
M bit = 0

Now break it down step by step.

The offset = 0 means this fragment starts from the very beginning of the original data.

The M bit = 0 means no more fragments are coming after this packet.

Now combine both.

If a packet starts at the beginning and there are no more fragments after it, that means the packet is not fragmented at all.

So this is a complete datagram, not a fragment.

You cannot call it first, middle, or last fragment because fragmentation did not occur.

Offset M Bit Interpretation Fragment Type
0 0 Starts at beginning and no more fragments Not Fragmented (Complete Datagram)