Definition
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique string of numbers and/or characters that identifies each machine connected to a network. IP addresses are fundamental to the operation of the Internet, allowing devices to find and communicate with each other. There are two versions in use today: IPv4 and IPv6. An IPv4 address is typically formatted as four octets (four numbers between 0 and 255) separated by periods, e.g., 192.168.0.1. An IPv6 address is longer and formatted as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons, e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
Examples
- IPv4 Address: 203.0.113.0
- IPv6 Address: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses?
IPv4 uses a 32-bit address format which allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. On the other hand, IPv6 uses a 128-bit address format, significantly expanding the number of possible unique addresses to accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the Internet.
How is an IP address assigned to a device?
IP addresses can be assigned to a device either statically or dynamically. Static IP addresses are assigned manually by an administrator, while dynamic IP addresses are assigned automatically using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
What is a private IP address?
A private IP address is an IP address that is used within a private network and is not routable on the Internet. These are often used in residential, corporate, and enterprise local area networks (LANs). Examples of private IPv4 address ranges include 192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255, 10.0.0.0–10.255.255.255, and 172.16.0.0–172.31.255.255.
What does it mean to “ping” an IP address?
“Pinging” an IP address refers to the process of sending a small packet of data to the address and waiting for a response. This is often used as a diagnostic tool to test the reachability of a device on a network.
Can two devices have the same IP address?
No, two devices on the same network cannot have the same IP address. If a conflict occurs, network communication for both devices can become disrupted. In practice, unique IP addresses are assigned to avoid such conflicts.
Related Terms
- Subnet Mask: A subnet mask is used in network configurations to divide an IP address into the network and host portions. It helps to understand which part of the IP address refers to the individual device and which part refers to the network.
- Gateway: A gateway is a network node that serves as an access point to another network, often acting as an intermediary and router for traffic.
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): DHCP is a protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.
- DNS (Domain Name System): DNS translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that machines use to identify each other on the network.
Online References
- What Is an IP Address? by WhatIsMyIPAddress
- Internet Protocol: IP Addressing by Internet Society
- Understanding IP Addresses, Subnet Masks, and CIDR Notation by DigitalOcean
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols” by W. Richard Stevens
- “Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach” by James Kurose and Keith Ross
- “IPv6 Essentials” by Silvia Hagen
Fundamentals of IP Address: Computers and the Internet Basics Quiz
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