The idea of address can refer to an address . In the specific case of computing, it is an expression composed of letters and/or numbers that refers to a location in the memory of a computer device. IP , for its part, is the English acronym that refers to Internet Protocol ( "Internet Protocol" ).
An IP address , in this framework, is a number that allows the identification of a network interface of a computer , a smartphone or other device that uses the aforementioned protocol. This address can be static or dynamic .
It can be said that the IP address is the identification that allows computing devices to connect to each other. Those that need a permanent connection require a static (fixed) IP address so they can be located on the network: a server hosting a website , an email server, etc. So that users can remember the location of sites on the Internet , domain names are used that are linked to IP addresses.
A computer that is assigned a dynamic IP address , on the other hand, does not have a fixed number. That is why the identification in question changes periodically.
The IP address can be understood, in short, as a label that identifies the interface of a device on a network that is governed by the IP protocol. These identifications, currently, are made up of four numerical blocks , each made up of numbers from 0 to 255 . For example: 205.45.128.30 could be an IP address.
In addition to everything established, we cannot ignore another series of singularities and important aspects about the aforementioned IP address, such as the following:
-No one can proceed to browse the Internet without an IP.
-In the same way, it must be established that no web page can be online correctly if it is not associated with an IP.
-Sometimes, the IP is often confused with the MAC. However, the latter is the identification that is given individually to the so-called network cards.
In addition to the public IP address we have to establish that there are also so-called private IP addresses. These are the ones used, for example, when several devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network in a house. In that case, each of those (mobile phones, tablets, computers...) has its own IP.
No less relevant is knowing that regarding this numbering we can highlight that there are thousands of combinations. However, it is no less true that there are three ranges that are reserved exclusively for private IPs:
-Class A, from 10.0.0.0. to 10,255,255,255, which is reserved for large networks such as large multinationals.
-Class B, from 172.16.0.0. to 172.31.255.255, which is used for what are more medium-sized private networks such as, for example, a university network.
-Class C, from 192.168.0.0. to 192.168.255.255, which is used for what are smaller private networks, such as domestic ones.