IP addresses
IP Addresses
Definition and Purpose
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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.
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The main purpose of the IP address is to identify and locate devices on a network.
IPv4
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IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the most commonly used version of the Internet Protocol.
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IPv4 addresses consist of four sets of numbers from 0-255, separated by periods, such as 192.168.0.1.
IPv6
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Due to the increasing number of devices on the internet, IPv4 addresses are running out, hence the development of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6).
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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
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Static IP addresses are fixed addresses assigned to a device. They remain the same and don’t change.
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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
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Public IP addresses are address numbers that are unique across the whole web.
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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
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Data sent over the internet is divided into small units known as packets.
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Each packet contains the source IP address and the destination IP address which guide the packet to its final destination.
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Routers use IP addresses to direct the packet along the most efficient route towards its destination.
IP Addresses and Security
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IP addresses can potentially reveal information about the network’s location and the device itself.
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VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be used to mask the original IP address and enhance user privacy and security.
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Firewalls can be configured to block traffic to and from certain IP addresses to protect the network and devices from threats.