Most of you have probably heard of an IP (Internet Protocol) address, but what is it? Basically every computer that's connected on a network (and the Internet is just one big network) needs to be identified individually. An IP address looks like 123.234.123.234. Each of the blocks of 3 numbers runs from 0 - 255 (to do with binary mathematics, the most basic of computer languages). This means that 4,294,967,296 computers can be addressed individually. Although this seems like a lot, we are rapidly running out of IP addresses. But don't worry, the Internet won't break there are a number of things happening: (For the techies out there, I know this article is very simplified, but remember this is just a primer)· Most often when you connect to your ISP (Internet Service Provider), you are given a 'dynamic' IP address. This means that the ISP has a limited number of addresses which it recycles between its customers.· There are two types of IP addresses - public and private Public IP addresses are just that, available for public use. However, many big companies live behind a firewall and can live with using private addresses such as 192.168.???.??? or 10.???.???.??? These addresses can only be used within organizations (or the home network). Although these addresses are used many times, other techniques are used so that computers using them can still connect to the Internet. A common technology is called NAT (Network Address Translation)· The current IP address is based on a standard IPv4. IPv6 is being developed (and used), which allows for many, many more IP addresses.IPCONFIG - if you go into a command screen on your computer and enter the command IPCONFIG or IPCONFIG /ALL you will see the most common IP addresses that your computer uses:· IPv4 Address: the IP address of your computer, usually this will be a private address unless you are directly connected to the internet (i.e. you do NOT connect into a router). If you're interested in seeing the public internet address that all the computers behind the router share, open a browser and go to http://www.whatismyip.com .· Subnet mask: don't worry about this for now, it's used more by big companies. Often it will show 255.255.255.0.· Default Gateway: this is the IP address of the router on the network - notice the first three portions of the IP address are the same e.g. 192.168.1.???. This means the computer and the router are on the same small network and can talk to each other. · DHCP Server: or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This is the IP address of the computer that hands out IP addresses to ensure that they are unique on a network. In this case they are said to be 'dynamic' addresses, but if necessary for a specific purpose, they can be setup manually and are then called 'static' addresses. This is often the same address as the default gateway or router, because the home router has for multiple functions.· DNS Server: or Domain Name System. A DNS server allows a numeric IP address to be translated into the domain address that you type into your browser or use for your email. E.g. www.valcompnet.com has an IP address of 97.74.215.71; www.yahoo.com has an address of 69.147.125.65. Often you will see two IP address in this position, this is useful just in case one of the DNS Servers is not working.
