IP address

IP address is short for Internet Protocol (IP) address.

IP specifies the format of packets, also called datagrams, and the addressing
scheme.
An IP address is an identifier for a computer or device on
a TCP/IP network. Networks using the TCP/IPprotocol route messages
based on the IP address of the destination.

What is an IP address and how does it work?

To better understand how IP addresses and subnet masks work, look at an IP (Internet
Protocol) address and see how it is organized. IP addresses: Networks and hosts. An IP address is a
32-bit number that uniquely identifies a host (computer or other device, such as a printer or router) on
a TCP/IP network.

What is the format of an IP address?

The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated
by periods. Each number can be zero to 255. For example, 1.160.10.240 could be an IP
address. Within an isolated network, you can assign IP addresses at random as long as each
one is unique.

What is the size of an IP address?

The number of unassigned Internet addresses is running out, so a new classless scheme called
CIDR is gradually replacing the system based on classes A, B, and C and is tied to adoption
of IPv6. In IPv6 the IP address size is increased from 32 bits to 128 bits.
Static Versus Dynamic IP Addresses
An IP address can be static or dynamic. A static IP address will never change and it is a
permanent Internet address. A dynamic IP address is a temporary address that is assigned
each time a computer or device accesses the Internet.
The four numbers in an IP address are used in different ways to identify a
particular network and a host on that network. Four regional Internet registries
-- ARIN, RIPE NCC, LACNIC and APNIC-- assign Internet addresses from the following
three classes:
Class
Asupports
16
million
hosts
on
each
of
126
Class
Bsupports
65,000
hosts
on
each
of
16,000
Class C - supports 254 hosts on each of 2 million networks

networks
networks

The number of unassigned Internet addresses is running out, so a new classless scheme
called CIDR is gradually replacing the system based on classes A, B, and C and is tied to
adoption of IPv6. In IPv6 the IP address size is increased from 32 bits to 128 bits.
What is My IP Address?
To view your IP address you can use the ipconfig (IPCONFIG) command line tool. Ipconfig
displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) settings.
To launch the command prompt from a Windows-based computer click: Start > All
Programs > Accessories >Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press the Enter key.
You can also use Google search to find your IP address. Type "what is my IP address" as a
search query and Google will show the IP address of the computer from which the query was
received as the top search result.