What is an IP address ?
Answers
IP - Internet protocol address
IP address is a numerical number assigned to each device which is connected to computer network or internet. Like cities and colonies have their own addresses, same like that, Computer is also assigned with the particular IP address. Which helps to find the computer's location or address. IP address is short form of Internet protocol. The communication between two computers occurs due to internet protocol.
There are mainly 2 versions of Internet protocol:
i) IPV 4 : This describes that, IP address is a 32 bit number; Limits space to 2³² IP addresses; 18 Million private; Remaining Public.
ii) IPV 6 : This describes that, IP address is 128 bit number; Latest version of IP address; Limits space to 3.403×10^38 IP addresses.
As internet is growing very rapidly, So, It was necessary to create a new version of IP address. Hence, IPV 6 was developed in 1998. Today's most of the devices uses IPV 6 for communication and data transferring.
IP address assignment:
IP addresses are managed/provided globally by institution "Internet Assigned Numbers Authority" (IANA). This institution provides the IP address to device which is connected with network. IP address in standard form is written as Eg: 103.236.147.93, 127.216.107.93 etc.
With the help of IP address, We can find/locate any computer or mobile device that is connected to network. IP address is also very useful for police and other institutions to find criminals and some people. If someone is doing hacking, then it is possible to find his/her location using his/her IP address.
There are about 4.3 Billion internet devices in the world. Each device is provided with unique IP address. Every IP address is different and unique. Hence, it is possible to find the information about any device using IP address.
Function: IP address have it's two functions; It identifies the host; Provides location to Host. An IP address indicates that, "where the device is?".
Private IP
Private IP address is just a type of network which is normally used to communicate within the network. This address works only in LAN. This type of IP's are free of cost. And, this are provided by the network administrator. To find our Private IP address, we can use "ipconfig" command on CMD. Or we can Log in our network and see IP of all the devices connected to network.
Private IP ranges between:
- 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255
- 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
- 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
Eg: 192.168.2.1, 192.168.4.2, 10.128.213.113
Public IP:
Public IP is normally used for communicating outside the network. This kind of IP's are managed and provided by ISP and IANA. It can be used to connect any type of network. This IP's are not free of cost. To know our Public IP, we can use various websites available on internet. Or we can search as "what is my IP" on any search engine.
Public IP ranging: There are about 4 Billion public IP's. Hence, there is not any ranging for public IP addresses. Most of this IP addresses are in the written like "103.116.187.93", "132.234.114.98".
Eg: 123.206.140.93, 233.216.147.65
Answer:
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two main functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.