What is an IP address? An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is like a home address for your device on the internet or a network. Just like your home needs an address so people can send you mail, your phone, laptop, or any device needs an IP address so it can send and receive data on the internet. What does it look like? There are two main types: IPv4: Looks like 192.168.1.1 (four numbers between 0–255, separated by dots) IPv6: Looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (used more now because we’re running out of IPv4) Why do we need IP addresses? They help: Identify each device on a network Route data to the correct destination (like how GPS routes you to an address) Types of IP addresses: Public IP: Used on the internet (unique globally) Private IP: Used within your local network (like your home Wi-Fi) Static IP: Doesn't change Dynamic IP: Changes over time (most common) Example: When you visit a website: Your device sends a request to the site’s IP address. The server at that IP address sends the webpage back to your device. Think of IP addresses like digital phone numbers for devices so they can talk to each other.
