What is an IP address? #
An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a unique numerical label that enables devices to communicate and exchange data within a network and across the internet. Using the Internet Protocol for communication, an IP address functions like a digital postal address, allowing data packets to be sent to and received by specific devices.
Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules and procedures that govern how data is transmitted and received over the internet. It provides a standardised method for addressing and routing data packets between devices connected to a network. IP forms the foundation of the internet by enabling communication between different devices and networks regardless of their underlying hardware or software.
Types of IP address #
There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). These IP addresses consist of a series of numbers separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6).
Let’s look at each type in more detail:
- IPv4: IPv4 addresses, which use a 32-bit address space, are the most widely used IP addresses and consist of four sets of numbers separated by periods. Each number set can range from 0 to 255. For example, “192.168.0.1” is an IPv4 address. IPv4 addresses provide a total of approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. However, due to the rapid growth of the internet, the available IPv4 addresses have become scarce.
- IPv6: IPv6 addresses were introduced to overcome the limitations of IPv4 and provide a significantly larger address space – a 128-bit address space. IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal and feature eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons. For example, “2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334” is an IPv6 address. IPv6 offers a vast number of unique addresses, allowing for trillions of devices to be connected to the internet.
As well as the two different types of IP addresses above, there are also a number of variations that fulfil a specific purpose, including Public, Private, Static and Dynamics IP addresses.
A public IP address is assigned to a device by an ISP and is globally unique on the internet. It allows devices to communicate with other devices across the internet. Public IP addresses are used by servers, websites and devices that need to be accessible from anywhere on the internet.
A private IP address is used within a local network, such as a home or office network, and is not directly reachable from the internet. Private IP addresses are assigned to devices by a router within the network. They are used for internal communication between devices within the network and are not visible outside of the local network. Common private IP address ranges include 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 and 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255.
A static IP address is a fixed IP address that remains the same over an extended period. It is manually assigned to a device, typically by a network administrator. Static IP addresses are often used for servers, routers or devices that require a consistent address for specific purposes, such as hosting websites or remote access.
A dynamic IP address is assigned to a device by an ISP from a pool of available addresses. The assignment is temporary and can change each time the device connects to the network. Dynamic IP addresses are commonly used for residential internet connections and allow ISPs to efficiently utilise their address pools by reassigning addresses when they are not in use.
These are the main types of IP addresses commonly encountered in networking. Each type serves a specific purpose in facilitating communication between devices within a network and across the internet.
How does an IP address work? #
An IP address works by providing a unique identifier to each device connected to a network, allowing them to send and receive data across the internet.
Here’s a simplified explanation of how it works:
- Device connection: When a device, such as a computer or smartphone, connects to the internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), it is assigned an IP address. This can be either a dynamic IP address that changes each time the device connects or a static IP address that remains the same.
- Data packet routing: When you send data over the internet, such as loading a web page or sending an email, the data is divided into small units called data packets. Each packet contains the destination IP address, source IP address and the actual data being transmitted.
- Address resolution: Before a packet can be sent, the device needs to determine the destination IP address. If the destination is a domain name (e.g., www.codelessplatforms.com), the device uses a Domain Name System (DNS) server to convert the domain name into an IP address. The DNS server returns the corresponding IP address, allowing the device to proceed.
- Packet transmission: Once the device knows the destination IP address, it encapsulates the data packet with the appropriate source and destination IP addresses. The packet is then handed over to the device’s network interface, which is responsible for transmitting the packet over the network.
- Routing through the network: The packet travels across the network, passing through various routers and switches. These network devices examine the destination IP address of each packet and determine the most efficient path to deliver it. Routers use routing tables to make decisions about packet forwarding based on IP addresses.
- Delivery to destination: Eventually, the packet reaches its destination network. The destination IP address helps the network devices identify the appropriate device within the network to deliver the packet. The device receives the packet, processes the data, and sends a response if necessary.
It’s important to note that IP addresses are hierarchical and organised into different classes and ranges to ensure efficient addressing and routing across the internet. Network administrators and ISPs manage IP address allocation to ensure proper distribution and utilisation of available addresses.
