An IP address is a unique address in the network, which is necessary for finding, transferring, and receiving information from one computer (crosspoint) to another.
This video clarifies what an IP address is, why we need it and explains how it works.
A crosspoint is any device that can connect to a network.
The IP address exists in any network, even a network consisting of a pair of computers, created based on Wi-Fi, or the network of a large enterprise. Each computer, without exceptions, has its own unique IP-address if there is a connection to the network. Each of the computers in the network has an IP address. Moreover, there can’t be two devices in one network with identical IP addresses. But in different networks, IP addresses can coincide.
The centralized allocation of IP addresses begins with the request of an Internet provider to the national centers. After that, the received range of addresses is distributed among the customers. Customers can also become Internet service providers, in their turn, distributing the received IP addresses between their customers.
This method of IP address allocation implies the ability to find out the physical location of a computer with a unique IP address, for this purpose, it is enough to send data to a higher network level and so from one provider to another provider until the data arrives at the destination computer from which this information was requested.
The range of IP addresses is allocated to the provider on a free basis, but here, as everywhere, appropriate control is needed. The provider that secured them after a certain period must confirm their direct use so that there is no downtime.
References
- The article "IP address" on Wikipedia defines an IP address and explains how it functions.
- The article "What Is an IP Address?" on Lifewire defines the term, explains what it is used for, and considers different types of IP addresses.
Last Updated: 22.03.2023
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