What is an IP Address? Configure IP Address and Network Settings

In the world of networking, an IP address is a fundamental concept that underpins the functioning of the Internet and local area networks. It serves as a unique identifier for devices on a network and enables communication between them. In this article, we’ll explore what an IP address is and guide you through the process of configuring IP address and network settings on your devices.

In essence, IP addresses are the identifier that allows information to be sent between devices on a network: they contain location information and make devices accessible for communication. The internet needs a way to differentiate between different computers, routers, and websites. IP addresses provide a way of doing so and form an essential part of how the internet works.

What is an IP Address?

An IP address is a string of numbers separated by periods. IP addresses are expressed as a set of four numbers — an example address might be 192.158.1.38. Each number in the set can range from 0 to 255. So, the full IP addressing range goes from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.

Understanding IP Addresses

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a numerical label assigned to each device on a network. This label serves two primary purposes:

1. Device Identification: An IP address uniquely identifies a device on a network, much like a postal address identifies a physical location. It allows devices to send and receive data to and from one another.
2. Routing: IP addresses also play a vital role in routing data across networks, including the global internet. Routers and switches use IP addresses to determine the path that data packets should take to reach their destination.

Types of IP addresses

There are different categories of IP addresses, and within each category, different types.

• Consumer IP addresses

Every individual or business with an internet service plan has two types of IP addresses: their private IP addresses and their public IP address. The terms public and private relate to the network location — that is, a private IP address is used inside a network, while a public one is used outside a network.

• Private IP addresses

Every device that connects to your internet network has a private IP address. This includes computers, smartphones, and tablets but also any Bluetooth-enabled devices like speakers, printers, or smart TVs. With the growing Internet of Things, the number of private IP addresses you have at home is probably growing. Your router needs a way to identify these items separately, and many items need a way to recognize each other. Therefore, your router generates private IP addresses that are unique identifiers for each device that differentiate them on the network.

• Public IP addresses

A public IP address is a primary address associated with your whole network. While each connected device has its own IP address, they are also included within the main IP address for your network. As described above, your public IP address is provided to your router by your ISP. Typically, ISPs have a large pool of IP addresses that they distribute to their customers. Your public IP address is the address that all the devices outside your internet network will use to recognize your network.

• Public IP addresses

Public IP addresses come in two forms – dynamic and static.

• Dynamic IP addresses

Dynamic IP addresses change automatically and regularly. ISPs buy a large pool of IP addresses and assign them automatically to their customers. Periodically, they re-assign them and put the older IP addresses back into the pool to be used for other customers. The rationale for this approach is to generate cost savings for the ISP. Automating the regular movement of IP addresses means they don’t have to carry out specific actions to re-establish a customer’s IP address if they move home, for example. There are security benefits, too, because a changing IP address makes it harder for criminals to hack into your network interface.

• Static IP addresses

In contrast to dynamic IP addresses, static addresses remain consistent. Once the network assigns an IP address, it remains the same. Most individuals and businesses do not need a static IP address, but for businesses that plan to host their own server, it is crucial to have one. This is because a static IP address ensures that websites and email addresses tied to it will have a consistent IP address — vital if you want other devices to be able to find them consistently on the web.

Two types of website IP addresses

For website owners who don’t host their own server, and instead rely on a web hosting package – which is the case for most websites – there are two types of website IP addresses. These are shared and dedicated.

• Shared IP addresses

Websites that rely on shared hosting plans from web hosting providers will typically be one of many websites hosted on the same server. This tends to be the case for individual websites or SME websites, where traffic volumes are manageable, and the sites themselves are limited in terms of the number of pages, etc. Websites hosted in this way will have shared IP addresses.

• Dedicated IP addresses

Some web hosting plans have the option to purchase a dedicated IP address (or addresses). This can make obtaining an SSL certificate easier and allows you to run your own File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. This makes it easier to share and transfer files with multiple people within an organization and allows anonymous FTP sharing options. A dedicated IP address also allows you to access your website using the IP address alone rather than the domain name — useful if you want to build and test it before registering your domain.

There are two major versions of IP Addresses

1. IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4): This is the most common type of IP address, consisting of a 32-bit address written in a dotted decimal format (e.g., 192.168.1.1). IPv4 is widely used, but its limited address space has led to the development of IPv6.
2. IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): IPv6 uses a 128-bit address expressed in hexadecimal notation (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). It was introduced to address the scarcity of IPv4 addresses and offers a vast pool of available addresses.

What’s the Difference Between IPv4 and IPv6 Addresses?

What’s the Difference Between Dynamic and Static IP Addresses?

Configuring IP Address and Network Settings

The process of configuring IP address and network settings varies slightly depending on your device and the network type. Below, we’ll outline the general steps to configure IP address settings on a Windows PC and a typical home network:

Configuring IP Address on a Windows PC

1. Access Network Settings:
   • Open the Control Panel and go to “Network and Sharing Center” or “Network and Internet.”
2. Change Adapter Settings:
   • Click on “Change adapter settings” in the left sidebar.
3. Access Adapter Properties:
   • Right-click on your active network connection (usually labelled as “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi”) and select “Properties.”
4. Configure IPv4 Settings:
   • Locate “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on it. Then click “Properties.”
5. Choose IP Configuration Type:
   • You can choose between “Obtain an IP address automatically” (uses DHCP) or “Use the following IP address” (manual configuration). If you choose manual, enter the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server details.
6. Apply Settings:
   • Click “OK” to apply the settings.

Configuring Network Settings on a Typical Home Network

1. Access Router Configuration:
   • Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (common addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with your router’s administrative username and password.
2. Navigate to LAN Settings:
   • Locate the LAN or Network settings within the router’s configuration interface.
3. Set DHCP or Manual Configuration:
   • You can choose to enable DHCP (automatic IP assignment) or configure IP settings manually. For DHCP, ensure it’s enabled, and your devices will receive IP addresses automatically.
4. Configure Static IP Addresses:
   • If you prefer manual configuration, you can specify static IP addresses for your devices by entering their MAC addresses and assigned IPs.
5. Save and Reboot:
   • After making changes, save your settings and reboot the router if necessary.

How to look up IP addresses

The simplest way to check your router’s public IP address is to search “What is my IP address?” on Google. Google will show you the answer at the top of the page.

In Windows:

• Use the command prompt.
• Search for “cmd” (without the quotes) using Windows search
• In the resulting pop-up box, type “ipconfig” (no quote marks) to find the information.

On a Mac:

• Go to System Preferences
• Select the network – and the information should be visible.

On an iPhone:

• Go to Settings
• Select Wi-Fi and click the “i” in a circle () next to the network you are on – the IP address should be visible under the DHCP tab.

Conclusion

IP addresses are the backbone of computer networking, allowing devices to communicate and access the internet. Configuring IP addresses and network settings on your devices is essential for establishing connectivity within your local network and beyond. By understanding the basics of IP addressing and following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively manage and control your network settings, ensuring that your devices function smoothly and securely within your network environment.