What is an IP Address?

IP Short for Internet Protocol. IP specifies the format of packets, also called datagrams, and the addressing scheme in other words this is a unique number that devices use in order to identify and communicate with each other on a network utilizing the Internet Protocol standard. Any participating device — including routers, computers, time-servers, printers, internet FAX machines, and some telephones — must have its own unique address. This allows information passed onwards on behalf of the sender to indicate where to send it next, and for the receiver of the information to know that it is the intended destination.Most networks combine IP with a higher-level protocol called Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which establishes a virtual connection between a destination and a source. 

Every machine that is on a network (a local network, or the network of the Internet) has a unique IP number [four sets of numbers divided by period with up to three numbers in each set. (I.e. 00.000.00.000)] - If a machine does not have an IP address it cannot be on a network. Most machines also have one or more Domain Names that are easier for people to remember. I.e.www.mirchmasala.com Within an isolated network, such as an office, you can assign IP addresses at random as long as each one is unique. However, 
connecting a private network to the Internet requires using registered IP addresses 

The numbers currently used in IP addresses range from 1.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255, though some of these values are reserved for specific purposes. This does not provide enough possibilities for every Internet device to have its own permanent number. Subnet routing, Network Address Translation and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server all allow local networks to use the same IP addresses as other networks elsewhere though both are connected to the Internet. Devices such as network printers, web servers and mail servers are often allocated static IP addresses so they can always be found.

IP addresses are conceptually similar to phone numbers, except they are used in LANs (Local Area Network), WANs (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. Because the numbers are not easy for humans to remember, the Domain Name System provides a service analogous to an address book lookup called "domain name resolution" or "name resolution". Special DNS servers on the Internet are dedicated to performing the translation from a domain name to an IP address and vice versa.

The Internet Protocol (IP) knows each logical host interface by a number, the IP address. On any given network, this number must be unique among all the host interfaces that communicate through this network. Users of the Internet are sometimes given a host name in addition to their numerical IP address by their Internet service provider.

Depending on one's Internet connection the IP address can be the same every time one connects (called a static IP address), or different every time one connects, (called a dynamic IP address). In order to use a dynamic IP address, there must exist a server which can provide the address. IP addresses are usually given out through a server service called DHCP or the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. If a static address is used, it must be manually programmed into parameters of the device's network interface.

The current version of IP is IPv4. A new version, called IPv6 or IPng, is under development.


Where do I get an IP address?

Most computers automatically get their IP addresses from the network; that is, they are "dynamically assigned" by an Internet Service Provider or IT department. The technologies that make this possible are "DHCP" ("Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol") and "PPP" ("Point to Point Protocol"). Fortunately, most modern operating systems handle DHCP and PPP without much effort on the part of the user. 

The only disadvantage of a dynamically assigned IP address is that it can change each time you connect to the Internet. (This can also be viewed as an advantage, of course, as it makes it more difficult for hackers to track you down.) 

If you have a continuous connection to the Internet, your Internet Service Provider may assign you a "static IP address". A static IP address identifies your computer on the Internet using the same address as long as you remain with the same ISP. This is necessary if your computer is to provide services on the Internet, suc
  

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