What is an IP address ?

yumchicken

It is a unique number that devices use in order to identify and communicate with each other on a computer network utilizing the Internet Protocol standard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ip_address Jul 13 06, 9:11 AM

infpguy

It is the number used by the internet infrastructure to route communications between nodes in the internet. In its oldest form (IPv4) its made up of 4 octets (bytes) [e.g.: 192.168.1.1] that define "zones" or "subnets". The IP Address is parsed by each network node to determine if the address is "for it" or "for somewhere it knows how to deliver it to". Basically the IP address is not unlike a land-line phone number in that it is an instruction to the internet on how to route a message between one computer (or device) and another where the numbers represent parts of the network. (Simple answer... full answer is much more complex but this works.) Jul 13 06, 9:16 AM

zbeckabee

An IP Address is the numerical address of a computer on the Internet. This means every personal computer on the Internet will be given a unique IP Address by their Internet Service Provider just as every web site is given an IP Address by their web site host. http://www.internet-guide.co.uk/ip-address.html Jul 13 06, 10:52 AM

What-A-Mess

Every "end user" will have an IP address. When using a router for multiple users, the single MODEM attached to that router is the "end user" making all computers attached to the device the same IP address. IP = Internet Protocol. This is a number that is based on the octet (eight) binary system. Why is this significant? One byte = eight bits (a bit is a single piece of information). The computer is designed to calculate and compute in a sequence of eight, hence the Byte. Now binary works like this....... 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 (place value) 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 = 128+4+2+1 = 135 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 = 64+32+4 = 100 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 = 64+32+4+1 = 101 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 = 128+nothing = 128 Do you follow? The point I am making is that your IP address will not have a value greater than 255. Why? 128+64+32+16+8+4+2+1 = 255. Which would be 11111111 in binary. To find your IP address.... Start-Run- type in "cmd". At the prompt on the black window type "ipconfig". This will give you your IP address, your subnet mask (255.255.255.???),and your gateway. Your IP is specific (first digits) to your provider. Jul 13 06, 6:29 PM

What-A-Mess

Now to amend myself...... You may have a seperate IP address when attached to a router. Such as ..... 192.155.63.100 computer #1. 192.155.63.101 computer #2. Etc. Jul 13 06, 9:50 PM

Baloo55th

Easier way on my machine. I just double-click the connection icon (two little monitors) at bottom right, and click on Details. That's in Windows 2000Pro with Firefox, by the way. Won't have XP, and only use IE for one business connection. Even though now on broadband, I still have a varying IP address. Some ISPs do that, others don't. I'm with one of the smaller ones. Jul 14 06, 4:52 AM

What-A-Mess

Most IP addresses expire on a given date and time. If your computer is offline at that given time you MAY receive a new IP address. More often than not, you will be assigned the same IP address when you go back online unless you are off for a long period and a NEW customer is assigned your previous number. To find out about yours..... Start-Run- type "cmd", in the cmd window type "ipconfig /all" this will give you all you IP info. Jul 14 06, 5:17 PM