Understanding IP Addresses: How They Enable Internet Connectivity

When you connect to the internet, your device utilizes an IP address to communicate with other devices. This article will explore what an IP address is, how it works, and how it connects your computer to the internet using examples and explanations.

What is an IP Address?

Firstly, it’s important to understand that an IP address is not a physical location. Unlike a mail address which is specific to a geographical location, an IP address is a network location that helps devices communicate over a network. Typically, an IP address is associated with a computer, but more accurately, it refers to a network interface on a device connected to a network. For instance, a laptop might have different IP addresses for its Wi-Fi and Ethernet interfaces, such as 192.168.23.17 for Wi-Fi and 192.168.123.17 for Ethernet.

Format and Representation

The standard format for an IP address is a series of four numbers separated by periods, each ranging from 0 to 255. This format is designed for human readability and is how the address is represented in each packet on the internet. Each number can be thought of as a single byte of a 4-byte binary number, which is the true representation of an IP address in network packets.

Types of IP Addresses

There are two types of IP addresses: private and public. Private IP addresses are used within Local Area Networks (LANs) and are not routable on the internet. Examples include addresses from the ranges 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, and 172.16-31.x.x. These are duplicated across different LANs without any issues because an Internet router or modem uses a process called Network Address Translation (NAT) to translate the private IP address into the correct public IP address when data is sent to a website or service.

Public IP addresses, on the other hand, are allocated to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other large organizations. These are unique and globally routable. Internet routers use the AS number (Autonomous System number) to determine which network will receive the packets. For residential customers, the AS number helps the ISP locate the correct public IP address so that data can be sent back to them.

Conclusion and Further Reading

To fully grasp the concept of IP addresses and their importance in internet connectivity, consider watching a video that uses illustrations and examples to explain the topic in detail. Such a video is approximately 5 minutes long and can provide a clearer understanding of how these addresses work.