What is IP address and how it works

Identifier of a computer is called IP address. There are two standards for IP addresses: IP Version 4 (IPv4) and IP Version 6 (IPv6). All computers with IP addresses have an IPv4 address, and many are starting to use the new IPv6 address system as well. Just as you would address a letter to send in the mail, computers use the unique identifier to send data to specific computers on a network.

An IP address can be either dynamic or static. Static address can be configured by yourself through the computer’s settings. This type of address is rare, and it can create network issues if you use it without a good understanding of TCP/IP. Dynamic addresses are the most common. They were assigned by the Dynamic Host configuration protocol. Dynamic protocol system uses for limited time for leasing system if lease is expiring the computer will automatically request for a new lease. Its mean computer needs a new IP address.

The IP address is the core component on which the networking architecture is built; no network exists without it. An IP address is a logical address that is used to uniquely identify every node in the network. Because IP addresses are logical, they can change. They are similar to addresses in a town or city because the IP address gives the network node an address so that it can communicate with other nodes or networks, just like mail is sent to friends and relatives.

A public IP address is an IP address that can be accessed over the Internet. Like postal address used to deliver a postal mail to your home, a public IP address is the globally unique IP address assigned to a computing device. Your public IP address can be found at What is my IP Address page. An external or public IP address is used across the entire Internet to locate computer systems and devices. A local or internal IP address is used inside a private network to locate the computers and devices connected to it.

If you want to hide your IP address then you can use VPN software and proxy server. When connecting to the Internet over a dial-up Modem, your ISP will assign your computer a different IP address each time you connect.

If you’re wanting to change your IP address, try disconnecting and reconnecting. If you’re assigned the same address, disconnect for a few minutes and then reconnect.

Leave a Comment