Introduction
What Does "IP" Mean?
What is an IP Address?
Why Do We Need IP Addresses?
Types of IP Addresses
There are two main types of IP addresses:
Advantages of Private IP Address:
How to Obtain a Public IP Address:
Security Risks of Public IP Address:
How Private and Public IP Addresses Work Together
Have you ever wondered how computers and devices communicate on the internet? Every device on the internet, like your home router, has its own unique address. This address is referred to as an IP address. Let's get started and learn everything you need to know about IP addresses in an understandable manner!
"IP" stands for Internet Protocol. The Internet Protocol is a set of rules that helps devices communicate over the internet. An IP address is like a digital home address that tells other devices where to find you on the internet.
An IP address is a series of numbers separated by periods (.) or colons (:). These numbers are like the address of a house, telling other devices where to send information. There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4): This is the most common type of IP address. It looks like this: 192.168.1.1. It has four sets of numbers, each between 0 and 255, separated by periods.
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): This is a newer type of IP address designed to replace IPv4 because we are running out of IPv4 addresses. It looks like this: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. It has eight groups of numbers and letters separated by colons.
Why Do We Need IP Addresses?
Consider trying to send a letter to a friend without knowing his address. The letter would never reach him! The same thing occurs on the Internet. Without IP addresses, devices would not know where to send or receive data. Here are some of the reasons why IP addresses are important.
Identifying Devices: Every device, like your computer, smartphone, or tablet, needs an IP address to be identified on the network.
Routing Information: IP addresses help route information from one device to another. It's like the postal service for digital information.
Ensuring Data Delivery: IP addresses ensure that the data you send reaches the right destination.
How Do IP Addresses Work?
Think of the internet as a huge network of roads, and IP addresses as street addresses. When you type a website address into your browser, your computer uses the IP address to find and connect to the website's server. Here’s how it works step-by-step:
You type a website address (like www.networkinsights.net) into your browser.
Your computer asks a DNS server (Domain Name System) to translate the website address into an IP address. The DNS server is like a phone book for the internet.
The DNS server returns the IP address (like 8.8.8.8) to your computer.
Your computer uses this IP address to find the website's server and requests the web page you want to see.
The website's server sends the web page data back to your computer using your IP address, and you see the web page on your screen.
There are two main types of IP addresses:
1. Private IP Addresses
2. Public IP Addresses
Private IP Addresses: Private IP addresses are used within private networks (like your home or school network). They are not unique globally, meaning multiple networks can use the same private IP addresses without causing conflicts.
Example: If you have a computer, a tablet, and a smartphone connected to your home Wi-Fi, each device will have a private IP address like 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3, etc.
Private IP Address Ranges:
Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
These ranges are reserved for private networks, and devices within the same network use these addresses to communicate with each other.
Security: Private IP addresses add a layer of security because devices on a private network are not directly accessible from the internet.
Unlimited Use: You can reuse the same private IP addresses in different networks without any issues.
Disadvantages of Private IP Address:
Limited Communication: Devices with private IP addresses cannot communicate directly with devices on the internet without using a router to translate the private IP to a public IP.
Public IP Addresses: Public IP addresses are unique addresses assigned to devices that are directly connected to the internet. Each public IP address is unique across the entire internet.
Example: Your home router or school’s main internet gateway will have a public IP address that is visible to the entire internet.
Internet Service Provider (ISP): When you connect to the internet, your ISP assigns your router a public IP address. ISPs have a pool of public IP addresses they manage and distribute to their customers.
Dynamic IP Address: Most ISPs use dynamic IP addresses, which means your public IP address can change each time you connect to the internet.
Static IP Address: Some users need a permanent IP address that doesn’t change. This is called a static IP address. You can request a static IP from your ISP, usually for an additional fee.
Advantages of Public IP Address:
Global Communication: Public IP addresses allow devices to communicate with any other device on the internet.
Uniqueness: Each public IP address is unique, ensuring there are no conflicts when devices connect to the internet.
Security Risks of Public IP Address:
Vulnerability: Devices with public IP addresses are more exposed to the internet, making them more vulnerable to attacks.
Cost: Obtaining a static public IP address can be more expensive than using a dynamic IP.
When you browse the internet, your device uses a private IP address within your home network. Your router then translates this private IP address to a public IP address assigned by your ISP. This process is called NAT (Network Address Translation). When data comes back from the internet, the router translates the public IP address back to the private IP address, ensuring the data reaches the correct device in your network.