IP addresses

IP Addresses

Definition and Purpose

  • An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.

  • The main purpose of the IP address is to identify and locate devices on a network.

IPv4

  • IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the most commonly used version of the Internet Protocol.

  • IPv4 addresses consist of four sets of numbers from 0-255, separated by periods, such as 192.168.0.1.

IPv6

  • Due to the increasing number of devices on the internet, IPv4 addresses are running out, hence the development of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6).

  • IPv6 addresses are represented as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons, e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

Dynamic and Static IP Addresses

  • Static IP addresses are fixed addresses assigned to a device. They remain the same and don’t change.

  • Dynamic IP addresses are temporarily assigned to a device for a specific session. They change every time the device connects to the internet.

Public and Private IP Addresses

  • Public IP addresses are address numbers that are unique across the whole web.

  • Private IP addresses are used within a local network, such as a home or office network. They can be repeated in different networks but not within the same network.

How IP Addresses Work

  • Data sent over the internet is divided into small units known as packets.

  • Each packet contains the source IP address and the destination IP address which guide the packet to its final destination.

  • Routers use IP addresses to direct the packet along the most efficient route towards its destination.

IP Addresses and Security

  • IP addresses can potentially reveal information about the network’s location and the device itself.

  • VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be used to mask the original IP address and enhance user privacy and security.

  • Firewalls can be configured to block traffic to and from certain IP addresses to protect the network and devices from threats.