IP addresses
Understanding IP Addresses
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IP Addresses: are unique identifiers assigned to each device connected to a network. They take the form of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1).
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IPv4: IP version 4 is the fourth version of IP. It uses 32-bit addresses which allows for a maximum of approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses.
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IPv6: IP version 6 uses a 128-bit address, allowing for a much larger number of unique addresses. This is beginning to replace IPv4 due to the increase in devices needing unique IP addresses.
Role of IP Addresses
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Device Identification: IP addresses allow for devices to be unique identified on a network, ensuring data gets to the correct destination.
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Network Navigation: Routing of data by routers is decided by the IP address of the destination device.
Static and Dynamic IP Addresses
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Static IP Addresses: These are IP addresses that are manually assigned to a device and do not change.
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Dynamic IP Addresses: These are assigned by the network (via DHCP) whenever a device connects, and can change over time.
Private and Public IP Addresses
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Private IP Addresses: These are used within a network and are not accessible from the internet (e.g. 192.168.0.1).
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Public IP Addresses: These are unique across the whole of the internet and are used to connect to websites and servers online.
Subnet Mask
- Subnet Mask: Used alongside the IP address, it helps the device determine which network the IP address belongs to.