diff --git a/kernel/include/ip_layer.hpp b/kernel/include/ip_layer.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2c617578
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kernel/include/ip_layer.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+//=======================================================================
+// Copyright Baptiste Wicht 2013-2016.
+// Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0.
+// (See accompanying file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at
+//  http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
+//=======================================================================
+
+#ifndef NET_IP_LAYER_H
+#define NET_IP_LAYER_H
+
+#include <types.hpp>
+
+namespace network {
+
+namespace ip {
+
+struct address {
+    uint32_t address = 0;
+
+    uint8_t operator()(size_t index) const {
+        return (address >> ((3 - index) * 8)) & 0xFF;
+    }
+
+    void set_sub(size_t index, uint8_t value){
+        address |= uint32_t(value) << ((3 - index) * 8);
+    }
+};
+
+} // end of ip namespace
+
+} // end of network namespace
+
+#endif