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IP Address

Definition

Internet Protocol address; a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network.

Deep Dive

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Its primary functions are host or network interface identification and location addressing. This allows devices to communicate with each other over the internet or a local network, much like a street address allows postal services to deliver mail to the correct location. IP addresses are fundamental to how data packets are routed across networks.

Examples & Use Cases

  • 1Your home router is assigned a public IP address by your ISP
  • 2A web server hosting a website has a static public IP address
  • 3Your smartphone gets a dynamic private IP address when connected to Wi-Fi.

Related Terms

DNSMAC AddressNetwork Protocol

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