IP Address (Internet Protocol)

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. IP addresses serve two primary functions:

  1. Device Identification: IP addresses uniquely identify devices on a network, allowing data to be directed to and from specific devices. These devices can include computers, servers, routers, smartphones, and more.
  2. Location Addressing: IP addresses help route data packets across networks and the internet to their intended destinations. They indicate where data should be sent and how it should be routed.

Key points about IP addresses:

  • IPv4 and IPv6There are two main versions of IP addresses: IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numerical labels and are the most widely used. IPv6 addresses are 128-bit labels designed to address the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses and offer a vastly larger address space.
  • IPv4 Address FormatIPv4 addresses are typically represented as four groups of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Each group, or octet, can range from 0 to 255.
  • IPv6 Address FormatIPv6 addresses are represented as eight groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). IPv6 allows for more unique addresses due to its larger address space.
  • Static and Dynamic IP AddressesIP addresses can be either static or dynamic. Static IP addresses remain constant and are manually configured for a device. Dynamic IP addresses are assigned automatically by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and may change periodically.
  • Private and Public IP AddressesPrivate IP addresses are used within a local network (e.g., home or office) and are not routable on the public internet. Public IP addresses are assigned by ISPs and are used for devices directly accessible from the internet.
  • Subnet MaskA subnet mask is used in conjunction with an IP address to determine the network and host portions of the address. It defines the range of IP addresses within a specific network.
  • IPv4 Address ClassesIPv4 addresses are categorized into five classes (A, B, C, D, and E), each with a different format and purpose. Classes A, B, and C are used for host addresses, while Class D is reserved for multicast groups, and Class E is experimental.
  • IPv6 Address TypesIPv6 includes various address types, such as unicast (one-to-one communication), multicast (one-to-many communication), and anycast (one-to-nearest of a group) addresses.
  • DNS (Domain Name System)DNS is used to translate human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses. This allows users to access websites and services using names rather than numerical IP addresses.
  • Security and NATNetwork Address Translation (NAT) is a technique used to map multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address, providing an added layer of security and conserving public IP addresses.

IP addresses are the foundation of internet communication, enabling data to be routed across vast global networks. They are crucial for identifying and directing data between devices and locations on the internet.

Key terms in plain language

Open a term for a concise explanation of language used on this page.

Fiber Internet

Internet delivered through strands of glass using light. Fiber commonly supports high capacity, low latency, and strong upload performance, but availability must be confirmed for the exact address.

Cybersecurity

The practices and controls used to protect identities, devices, networks, applications, and data from unauthorized access, disruption, or manipulation.

Zero Trust

A security model that does not automatically trust a user or device because of its location. Access is continuously verified and limited to what is necessary.

SASE

Secure Access Service Edge combines networking and security capabilities in a cloud-delivered architecture so users and locations can receive consistent policy wherever they connect.

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

The systems and policies that determine who a user is, what resources they may access, and how that access is authenticated and reviewed.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

A login control requiring more than one form of verification, such as a password plus an authenticator app, security key, or biometric factor.