A Comprehensive Guide to IP Addressing

In the digital age, where interconnected devices dominate the technological landscape, IP addressing serves as the foundational framework that enables communication between systems. This blog explores the concept of IP addressing in depth, offering insights into its types, structure, functionality, and significance.

What is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to a network. It serves two primary purposes:

1. Identification: Differentiating one device from another in a network.
2. Location Addressing: Indicating where the device is located within a network to facilitate communication.

IP addresses function as digital addresses, similar to how street addresses help locate physical residences.

Types of IP Addresses

IP addresses are broadly categorized into two versions and several specific classifications:

1. IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)

• Format: IPv4 addresses consist of four decimal numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.0.1).
• Bit Length: 32 bits.
• Address Space: Approximately 4.3 billion unique…