CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive Exam Prep

The default IP Time to Live (TTL) value on macOS and Linux systems is typically set to 64 hops. TTL is a mechanism that helps prevent packets from circulating indefinitely in the case of a routing loop. Each time a packet is processed by a router, its TTL value is decremented by one. When the TTL value reaches zero, the packet is discarded, which helps maintain the health of the network.

A value of 64 hops is standard across many platforms, including both macOS and Linux. This TTL setting provides a balance between allowing packets sufficient potential to reach their destination while also implementing a safeguard against infinite loops. Other operating systems, such as Windows, may use different default TTL values, which contributes to the variation among network configurations.

Understanding the default TTL is essential for network configuration and troubleshooting, as it can impact how packets traverse the network and can influence the size of the routing table needed to maintain efficient routing paths.