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Bamidele Kolawole
Bamidele Kolawole

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Evolution of IP Addresses

Imagine sending a letter to a friend. You need their address to ensure it reaches them. IP addresses work similarly, connecting devices on the internet.

What's an IP Address?

An IP address is a unique identifier helping devices communicate online. It's like a digital street address.

Why Do We Need IP Addresses?

  • Your laptop to access websites
  • Your smartphone to stream videos
  • Your smart home devices to connect IP Address Structure

An IP address has four numbers separated by dots (XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX). Think of it like a zip code, street number, building number, and apartment number.

In the past, IP addresses were categorized into five classes:

  • Class A: Large networks

  • Class B: Medium networks

  • Class C: Small networks

  • Class D: Multicast addresses

  • Class E: Reserved for future use
    The Evolution of IP Addresses: IPv4 to IPv6

As the internet grew, IPv4 addresses became scarce. IPv6 addresses provide a much larger address space, ensuring:

  • More devices can connect

  • Improved security

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