IP address – The Complete Guide | What is an IP address

Ip Address – The complete info

What is an IP address ?
The complete tutorial about what is an ip address, types of ip address, uses of ip address ad much more. Read this awesome post to know more about IP address. 


Q) What is an ip address?
A) An Ip address is a label assigned to every device connected to a network or internet.Any device connected to internet could use this label to connect to another device connected to internet.

Types of ip addresses :-
1) Dynamic ip : These types of ip are always changing. Mostly broadband connections have these type of IP. These are assigned automatically by your ISP.

2) Static ip : These ip addresses don’t change. They remain same. You either had to buy one from your ISP or sometimes it comes free with your plan.

3)Public ip : Public ip address makes your device accessible to other users of internet. Anyone on internet can connect to your server using your PUBLIC IP.
To check your Public IP visit :
whatismyip.com

4)Private ip: Private ip is an ip address assigned to devices on a private network like computers present in your school/college have different Private ip address. It is used to communicate between computers on a Private network connected using hub/switch or any other way. To check your Private ip :

4.a)Open cmd .
4.b)Type ipconfig and hit enter.
4.c)The number shown against Ip Address is your Private ip.
You could assign Private ip on your own by :-
4.1)Double click on network connection icon in taskbar.
4.2)Click on Properties.
4.3)Click on internet protocol(tcp/ip).
4.4)Tick on “use this configuration”.
4.5)Enter your details.
4.6)Click on Ok.

Example scenario:
1) Let us suppose a computer Lab A in a school containing 20 computers all connected to each other using a switch and connected to a Modem[ all 20 to a single modem].
Then their *Private ip* address could be checked at cmd via point 4). This  *Private ip* is  mostly *STATIC* .
But their *Public ip* will be same as they are connected to internet via same route ie same modem. This *Public ip* will be assigned by the ISP and may or may not be *Dynamic*.

2) Let us take another computer lab B with same configuration as lab A. Now let us suppose computer xyz. It will definately have a different *Public Ip* as compared to Lab A, but it may or may not have same *Private ip* as that of any computer in Lab A.
There is one more thing, two devices could never have same Private ip connected to a same network. But two devices connected to different network may or may not have same Private ip.
This mean two computers either from lab A or B, both could have same *Public ip* but can never have same *Private ip*.

Example Explained :
Xyz computer From lab A:
Private ip : aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd [Generally STATIC]
Public Ip : xxx.yyy.zzz.www [Anything assigned by ISP, could be *DYNAMIC* or *STATIC* depending on your subscription]

abcd From Lab B
Private Ip : eee.fff.ggg.hhh [this could be same as Private IP of XYZ in Lab A, Generally STATIC]
Public Ip : qqq.eee.www.ttt [This could never be same as that of lab A, anything assigned by ISP, could be *DYNAMIC* or *STATIC* depending on your subscription]

In my next post i will discuss about IP addresses in even more detailed way.
Stay updated!
 Leave your feedback in comments.