The
IP address is your online identification number. You can find out some
useful information about what its numbers stand for and the reason
every computer has to have one.
The Computer is a very complicated device we use for our every day
comfort and the importance of some of its numerical aspects is
sometimes neglected. For example: a different number is given to each
computer when its user goes online or when it is part of a network.
This number is the IP address and knowing about it is like knowing
where you live…
What’s my IP and what do its numbers stand for?
IP stands for Internet Protocol and the address is formed from 4
numbers separated by periods. The IP address format is a 32 bit numeric
one and each number can be from 0 to 255. The IP address consists of
two parts: first one represent the network number and it is similar for
more than one user (like the number of a street) and second represents
the host name which is different for each user (like the house number).
To increase the number of available IP addresses within big networks
with a lot of users or small networks with few hosts, the address is
divided into 4 classes (A, B, C, and D)
Having an IP address it’s like having a last name in a network. To
identify a computer in a network (LAN-local area network, WAN-wide area
network or on the Internet) it has to have an IP address. This number
is similar to a phone number or to a zip code. It is unique and without
it the device or computer can not be used in a network area. Within an
isolated network the computers can be assigned different random IP
addresses, but if a private network needs to be connected to the
Internet the IP has to be registered so that its uniqueness is verified.
Where do I find my IP address?
Connect to a site that recognizes your IP address and let you see it
also. You can visit this site for example: iprelated.com. These IP
Lookup sites are very easy to use and very useful for others. An IP
address can offer a lot information about the person who logs in on the
Internet and engages in a certain activity.
This is how illegal activity is sometimes detected and violations are
reported. The IP address says less about the user if it is a dynamic
one because it changes every time the user logs in.
Another interesting aspect is that some people who have the information
from your IP address are interested in taking you computer over and
using its resources. This is not impossible! They can use software that
enables them to do this so it is better to hide your IP when you are
online.
Who gives me my IP address?
The IP address can be static or dynamic, meaning it can be the same
every time you are online or it can change. The IP address is provided
by a server through a service called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol)
Although things can get pretty complicated when explaining numbers and
their significance, this is just a small and easy to understand
introduction about the IP address that does not involve technical
terms. The importance of these details is very high because starting
from these brief explanations one can truly comprehend the necessity
and implications of the IP address and of virtual geo location.
