An IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to a network. It allows devices to communicate with each other over the internet or a local network.
Types of IP Addresses:
- IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)
- Format: IPv4 addresses are written in the format xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, where each xxx is a number between 0 and 255 (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
- Range: IPv4 provides approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses.
- Use: Most devices on the internet still use IPv4 for communication.
- IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)
- Format: IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal format and consist of eight groups of four digits separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
- Range: IPv6 provides a vastly larger address space (approximately 340 undecillion unique addresses) to accommodate the growing number of devices on the internet.
- Use: IPv6 is being gradually adopted as the number of devices requiring unique IP addresses grows.
Private and Public IP Addresses:
- Private IP Address: Assigned to devices within a local network (e.g., 192.168.0.1). These addresses are not routable over the internet.
- Public IP Address: Assigned to a device or network to allow communication over the internet. It is globally unique and visible to the outside world.
Conclusion
Computer networks are essential for communication between devices, resource sharing, and accessing data. The key elements of a network include the devices, protocols, transmission mediums, and network types, each designed for specific tasks and environments. Understanding the types of networks (PAN, LAN, WAN, etc.), network devices (router, switch, modem), protocols (TCP, IP, HTTP), and the concept of IP addresses is crucial for grasping the fundamental aspects of how data and communication flow in modern digital networks.