What Is an IP Address?
IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a numerical identifier for a computer or computer network. The “IP address” allows computers to send and receive data when they are connected to the internet.
How does an IP Address works?
IP addresses are used by computers to send and receive data over the internet. The majority of IP addresses are numerical, but as the internet becomes more popular, some addresses will include letters.
IP addresses are divided into four categories: public, private, static, and dynamic. While public and private refer to a network location (private within a network vs. public outside of a network), static and dynamic refer to network permanency.
An IP address that was manually created rather than assigned is known as a static IP address. A static IP address is also fixed, whereas a dynamic IP address is assigned by a DHCP server and can change.
Dynamic IP addresses are the most common type of internet protocol address. Before they expire, dynamic IP addresses are only valid for a certain amount of time. Either the computer will request a new lease or a new IP address will be assigned to it.
Because each IP address is unique to the computer or user to whom it is assigned, it is comparable to a Social Security Number (SSN). These numbers can be used by routers to figure out where they’re sending data over the internet.
They also make sure that the messages get to the right people. In order to deliver a package to the requested web address, a router, like a post office, requires an IP address.