What is an IP Address and type of IP Addresses?

What is an IP Address and type of IP Address?

IP Address is a unique string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.

·        Internet Protocol Address

·        It allows the machine to be located by other machines on the network / internet. 

·        An IP address is the location of a computer on the internet.

Example: 123.45.67.89

How IP addresses work

When your computer or device sends a request, like a search on Google, it tags the request with your IP address. That way Google knows where to send the response.

IP address - Static vs Dynamic

·        Static IP address: Fixed and never changes, means the IP address never changes as long as you stay with the same provider or same server.

·        Dynamic IP address: temporary and could change dynamically, means these IP address can change from time-to-time.

IP address - public vs private

·        Public IP address: means the IP address can be visited from any computer in the world, i.e. over internet. 

·        Private IP address: means the IP address can only be used by those on the same network.

IP address - shared vs dedicated

·        Shared IP address:  means other people use your IP address for their connection or websites

·        Dedicated IP address:  means no one else uses your IP address for their connection or websites.