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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