What is an IP Address?

An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique numerical address which is assigned to each device on a computer network. It is a crucial part of the protocol which is used to send and receive packets of data over the internet. An IP address is similar to a mailing address in that it identifies a particular machine or network on the internet.

How does an IP Address Work?

An IP address is like a telephone number, in that it is a way for a device to identify itself on the internet and to find other devices so that it can communicate with them. Every device that is connected to the internet is assigned an IP address and these addresses are used to route packets of data to their intended destination. IP addresses are divided into two main ranges, public and private.

Public Addresses

A public IP address is the address that is assigned to you by your internet service provider (ISP). This is the address that is used to route data to and from your device to the wider internet. Public IP addresses are unique and they are assigned to each device that is connected to the internet. They are also registered centrally and so it is possible to trace and identify the device that is assigned to a particular IP address.

Private Addresses

Private IP addresses are different from public IP addresses in that they are not visible to the wider internet. Private IP addresses are typically assigned to devices located behind a router or a modem and they are mainly used within a Local Area Network (LAN). Private IP addresses are only accessible to other devices within the same LAN and they are not visible from the wider internet.

In summary, an IP Address is a numerical address which is assigned to each device on a computer network and is used to route packets of data to their intended destinations. IP addresses are divided into two main ranges, public and private, with public IP addresses being assigned to devices that are directly connected to the internet and private IP addresses being assigned to devices located behind a router or a modem. IP addresses are essential in order for any device to be able to communicate with other devices on the internet.