An IP Address, or Internet Protocol Address, is a number given to every device connected to the internet. Each device needs its own IP address to communicate. The IP address is made up of numbers that people can easily read. It plays an important role in networking by helping to identify devices and find their location.
There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 is the older version and uses a 32-bit number for addresses. It became outdated because there were not enough IPv4 addresses for all internet users. IPv6 was created to solve this problem. It uses a 128-bit number and started in 1998. IP addresses are just numbers, so anyone can read them without special software.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses a 32-bit address scheme allowing for about 4.3 billion unique addresses, while IPv6 uses a 128-bit address scheme, providing a vastly larger address space to accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet.
Why do we need IP addresses?
IP addresses are essential for identifying devices on a network and facilitating communication between them. They ensure that data sent over the internet reaches the correct destination.
Can IP addresses change?
Yes, IP addresses can change. Dynamic IP addresses are assigned by a DHCP server and can change over time, while static IP addresses remain constant.
What is a public IP address?
A public IP address is an IP address that is assigned to a computing device to allow direct access over the internet. It is unique across the entire internet.
What is a private IP address?
A private IP address is used within a private network and is not routable on the internet. Devices on a local network can communicate with each other using private IP addresses.