IP Address

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number assigned to each device on a network so that data can be sent to the right place, much like a postal address. Every website, phone and computer connected to the internet uses one.

There are two versions: IPv4 addresses such as 192.168.1.10 and IPv6 addresses such as 2001:db8::1. Addresses can be public (reachable on the internet) or private (used inside a home or office network, such as 192.168.x.x), and they can be assigned permanently (static) or automatically by DHCP (dynamic).