IP Address And Why Is It So Essential?

In this era of the Internet, most of you must be familiar with the term IP address and may have even seen how hackers track a person with the help of this in crime thriller movies or shows. But what is it really!? Ever been curious to know more about that? Don't worry, we got your back!



IP Address and its essentials


Full Form:- IP Address stands for - Internet Protocol Address. As per the name suggests, it does have something to do with official rules or protocols. In short, it's a set of rules that dictate how data should be delivered over the public network.


What Is IP Address:- Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to the web. It is expressed by a unique string of four numbers separated by periods.

For example - 124.56.78.90 .


How IP Addresses Are Allocated:- Since each existing electronic device connected to the network is assigned to an IP address that refers to that device only, it's understandable that these addresses aren't just generated randomly. The IP address space is managed globally by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), and by five regional Internet registries (RIRs) responsible in their designated territories for assignment to local Internet registries, such as Internet service providers (ISPs), and other end users.



IP address of google.com


Types Of Internet Protocol Addresses:- IP addresses can be subdivided in two ways, one the basis of privacy and the another one on the basis of permanency. There are two types of IP addresses based on privacy, - 1) Public and 2) Private. The other two types of IP addresses based on location are- 1) Static and 2) Dynamic. 


A public IP Address can be accessed directly over the internet and is assigned to one's internet router by their internet service provider or ISP.


A private IP Address on the other hand is assigned by one's network router. So devices connected to the same network can communicate with one another without being connected to the entire internet. Which is why this is safer and harder to trace back.


A static IP Address is a permanent address allocated to a computer or mobile by the ISP and doesn't change when connected to the internet. It is quite vulnerable to cyber attack.


A dynamic IP Address is a temporary address provided to users by the ISP using either Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE). This is not as vulnerable to attacks as the static one, since once the user turns off the internet connection, the ISP can assign the IP address to another customer. So tracing it back to one user is extremely tough.


Why IP Address Is Required:- In networking, protocol is a standardized way of formatting data so that exchange of data is possible. This formatting helps the internet to differentiate between different computers, routers, and websites. IP addresses provide a way of doing so and form an essential part of how the internet works.


Function:- An IP address serves two principal functions. - 1) Host or Network Interface Identification and 2) Location Addressing.

Host or Network Interface Identification can be explained with a simplified analogy. Every person in the world has an address, this address is officially noted down in their national identity cards. This is done to generate an organised system. In the same way, on the internet each device is assigned a certain address to identify it. So,no, if your friend holds your electronic device, the IP address isn't gonna change. It's the device's address not a particular person's.

Let's try another simple approach to get a clear hold of the second function, Location Addressing. Roads, - lanes and highways spread over the earth are connected together to facilitate a smooth transportation. Similarly, the network routes are also connected to each other. If one is at location "A" the cell tower closest to that place would provide the person with internet connection. And when the location changes the internet provider also changes. This location can be traced. But as I said before, it's the device's location and isn't dependent on the user's location.


Conclusion:- Without the existence of IP Addresses it wouldn't have been so smooth, to communicate with people all over the world. This just barely scratches the surface. To deeply understand IP Address, how it's generated and works, one needs to have the knowledge of the mechanism of Network connections, which is quite complex. But I hope you atleast got the basic idea of IP Address.



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