An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
Key Concepts:
- IPv4 vs. IPv6: IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1) and is running out of unique addresses. IPv6 uses 128-bit hexadecimal addresses to provide trillions of new options.
- Public vs. Private: Public IPs are routing-capable over the internet. Private IPs are reserved for local home or office routers.
- Geo-location: IP databases map public addresses to physical geographic locations, ISPs, and network owners.