What are IP Addresses: Unveiling the Basics of Internet Connectivity

An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Its primary function is to provide a way to identify and locate these devices, making it possible for them to communicate with each other efficiently. The structure of an IP address is a set of numbers divided by periods in IPv4 or colons in IPv6.

Understanding IP addresses requires familiarity with the different versions and formats they come in. IPv4 addresses, the most commonly used form, consist of four numbers ranging from 0 to 255, represented in decimal form. On the other hand, IPv6 addresses were introduced to accommodate the expanding number of internet-connected devices, offering an almost limitless number of unique addresses. IPv6 addresses are composed of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits.

The allocation and management of IP addresses are overseen by several organizations globally. These organizations ensure that IP addresses are assigned in an organized manner and help prevent duplication. Each IP address is unique to a device on the network, and no two devices can have the same IP address simultaneously on the same network. This system is crucial for the routing of information across the internet and allows devices to be pinpointed and data to be sent to the correct location.

Key Takeaways

• IP addresses are unique identifiers for devices on a network.
• IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of IP addresses.
• Organizations oversee the allocation and management of IP addresses.

Understanding IP Addresses

In our exploration of IP addresses, we focus on their core definition and the differences between the two primary versions in use today.

Definition and Purpose

IP addresses serve as unique identifiers for devices on a network. They are essential for ensuring that data sent over the internet reaches its correct destination. Think of them as digital addresses that enable devices to communicate with each other over a network.

IPv4 vs IPv6

The internet started with IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4), which uses 32-bit addresses. This version supports approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. Here's a visual representation of an IPv4 address:

192.168.1.1

However, due to the growth of the internet, IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) was developed. It uses 128-bit addresses, substantially increasing the number of possible addresses. Below is an example of an IPv6 address:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

Aspect	IPv4	IPv6
Address Size	32 bits	128 bits
Addressing	Numeric	Alphanumeric (including hexadecimal)
Total IPs	~4.3 billion	340 undecillion (3.4 x 10^38)

IP Address Allocation and Management

IP addresses are a critical resource managed through structured allocation and hierarchy. Our approach ensures efficient distribution and minimizes conflicts within the network.

Role of IANA and RIRs

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) oversees the global pool of IP addresses, ensuring a coordinated and central management system. We entrust the allocation of IP address blocks to five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). Each RIR manages and distributes IP addresses within a specific geographical region. Here's how the responsibility is divided:

• AFRINIC for Africa
• APNIC for the Asia-Pacific region
• ARIN for North America and parts of the Caribbean
• LACNIC for Latin America and parts of the Caribbean
• RIPE NCC for Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia

The RIRs allocate IP addresses to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and then ISPs distribute these addresses to end-users.

Public and Private IP Addresses

There are two categories of IP addresses that we manage:

1. Public IP Addresses: Unique addresses used on the internet, ensuring global connectivity. Each public IP address is distinct, allowing devices to find and communicate with each other across the network.
   
2. Private IP Addresses: Used within a private network, allowing devices to communicate internally. These addresses are not visible on the internet and are therefore reusable. Common private IP address ranges include:
   

• 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
• 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
• 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

Our use of private IP addresses conserves the public IP address space and enhances network security.