An IP address, which stands for Internet Protocol address, is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. It serves two main purposes: identifying the host or network interface and providing the location of the host in the network.
Here’s a breakdown of the components of an IP address:
IPv4 vs. IPv6:
- IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4): Expressed as four sets of decimal numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.0.1). Each set can range from 0 to 255.
- IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): Expressed as eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). IPv6 was introduced to address the limitations of IPv4 and provide a larger address space.
Network and Host Portion:
- In an IPv4 address, the first part represents the network portion, and the remaining part represents the host portion. The division between network and host is determined by the subnet mask.
- In an IPv6 address, the division between network and host is less straightforward due to the use of more complex subnetting concepts.
Public vs. Private IP Addresses:
- Public IP Address: Used to identify a device on the public internet. It’s unique and routable across the internet.
- Private IP Address: Used within a local network (e.g., home or office network) and is not directly accessible from the internet.
Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses:
- Dynamic IP Address: Assigned by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and can change over time.
- Static IP Address: Manually configured and remains constant. It doesn’t change unless modified manually.
Examples:
- An example of an IPv4 address: 192.168.1.1
- An example of an IPv6 address: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
IP addresses play a crucial role in the routing and delivery of data over the internet. They enable devices to communicate with each other and are fundamental to the functioning of the global network.