Glossary: IP Address
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to a network.
More About IP Addresses
IP addresses are fundamental to how the internet works. Every device that connects to the internet needs an IP address to send and receive data. This includes computers, smartphones, servers, IoT devices, and more.
Types of IP Addresses
- Public IP: Globally unique addresses visible on the internet
- Private IP: Addresses used within local networks (192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x)
- Static IP: Permanent addresses that don't change
- Dynamic IP: Temporary addresses that can change
IP Address Versions
There are two versions of IP addresses in use today:
- IPv4: 32-bit addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
- IPv6: 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001:db8::1)