What does an IP address mean?#
Every device on a network needs an address to receive data, just like a house that a mail carrier cannot find without an address. This numeric address is the IP address. The common form is four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.1.
Two important kinds of IP#
- Public IP: the address the internet knows you by. Your provider assigns it to your home modem or SIM card.
- Private IP: the internal address of devices in your home, such as your phone and laptop, which only has meaning inside your own network and is managed by your router.
This is why several devices in a home can reach the internet with a single public IP.
Static or dynamic#
Most home users have a dynamic IP that may change every time the connection resets. Servers, security cameras and large sites usually want a static IP so they can always be found at the same address.
Where you encounter it#
When setting up a modem, accessing a camera remotely, buying hosting or a server, or when a site says "your IP has been blocked". An IP address roughly reveals your city and provider, but not your exact home address.
Note#
The older version, IPv4, is gradually running out, and IPv6, with a vastly larger space, is replacing it. A system called DNS converts site names to IPs so we do not have to memorize numbers.