What is an IP address? Common types of IP addresses. How to easily view your personal and public IP addresses on your phone and computer.
For those who use the Internet, the term IP address is probably quite familiar. However, what exactly is an IP address, what is it used for, and what types of IP addresses exist? Not all users fully understand these questions. Therefore, this article will share and explain the most basic knowledge about IP addresses.
What is an IP address?
An IP address, whose full English name is Internet Protocol, simply means the Internet protocol. Specifically, IP is a unique address that electronic devices use to identify each other and communicate over a computer network via the Internet protocol.
What are IP addresses used for?
Once you understand the concept of 'what an IP address is,' you also need to understand its main purpose. First, you need to understand what the Internet is. Simply put, the Internet is a global network system connected using the Internet Protocol (IP) so that devices can connect with each other. An IP address provides the identity of a device when connected to the network, helping these devices distinguish and recognize each other on the Internet, thus enabling communication.
For example, if you need to send a package to a friend elsewhere, you need to know the exact address. In that case, you need to fill in the specific address accurately by looking it up in a tool or address list file.
Sending data over a network is exactly the same as sending mail. The only difference is that instead of using a list to find addresses, you use a DNS server to search for a hostname, and from there find the IP address.
Specifically, when you enter xyz.com into your browser, a request to load the page is sent to the DNS server, which then searches for xyz.com and retrieves its IP address. If the IP address is not included, the DNS server has no basis for searching. Similarly, tracking the IP address of an email sender can help you avoid malicious emails, malware, or track the identity of an anonymous sender.
Types of IP addresses
IP addresses are classified into several main types based on their nature and scale: static IP addresses, dynamic IP addresses, private IP addresses, and public IP addresses.
Static IP address
A static IP address is a fixed IP address assigned to a single user or group of users, ensuring their device always has the same IP address when connected to the internet. To accommodate multiple users accessing the internet without interruption, static IP addresses are often assigned to servers, such as web servers or mail servers.
Dynamic IP address
Dynamic IP addresses, also known as IP addresses, are a type of IP address that a device can change. In cases where a static IP address is not necessary, most customers are simply assigned different IP addresses by their ISP after each connection.
The purpose of ISPs assigning dynamic IP addresses is to conserve the increasingly scarce IP address resources. When a device is not connected to the internet, the provider will then use that IP address to assign it to someone else.
Personal IP address
A private IP address is a type of private IP address used within a local area network (LAN), commonly found in companies, schools, or households. Private IP addresses do not connect to the internet; instead, they allow devices within that network to communicate with each other through a router. These private IP addresses can be manually configured or automatically assigned by the router.
Public IP address
A public IP address is the type of address that an Internet service provider uses to forward Internet requests to a specific organization. This is the type of address that an organization's network or a home network uses to communicate with other Internet-connected devices, allowing devices on the same network to access the network and communicate directly with other computers.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of IP addresses?
IP addresses were created to solve the problem of communication between devices on the Internet; however, they still have limitations. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of IP addresses?
Advantages of IP addresses
- Enabling easier internet access.
- It helps users manage their network systems efficiently and simply.
Disadvantages of IP addresses
- In the event of system breach or sabotage, personal data will be exploited and used.
- User access activities will be recorded along with their IP addresses.
How do I check my IP address?
Once you understand the basics of what an IP address is, you'll probably wonder how and where to check your IP address. Below are some of the most common methods for checking your IP address.
Where to check the IP address on your phone?
On your phone, you can easily check both types of IP addresses: public and private. Please follow along and do as instructed.
Instructions on how to view your public IP address on your phone.
To check your phone's public IP address, you can do so in two ways:
Method 1: Check using the search term 'what is my IP'
Open your Android phone, access your browser , and type the search phrase ' what is my ip '. The IP address will be automatically returned at the top of the search results.
You can perform the same operation on tablet devices to check the public IP address.
Method 2: Check your public IP address using a website.
Open your browser and access the website at https://www.whatismyip.com. The website's homepage will display your phone's public IP address.
In addition to checking via the website address above, you can also verify this information through other reputable websites such as: https://whatismyipaddress.com or https://www.ipchicken.com.
Instructions on how to view your personal IP address on your phone.
Besides checking public IP addresses, we can also check the private IP address on a phone by following these steps:
How to view your IP address on an Android smartphone .
Search for and open the Settings folder. Scroll down to find the About section. Click on the Status section . The IP address that appears is the IP address on your phone.
How to view your IP address on an iOS smartphone.
Find and open the Settings folder. Click on Wifi. Click directly on the Wifi network name to check your personal IP address on your phone.
Where to check the IP address on a computer?
In many cases, you will need to view the IP address on your computer for various work-related purposes, so we have compiled a complete list for your convenience.
Instructions on how to check your IP address on a Windows computer.
There are many ways to check your IP address on a Windows computer. Below, we'd like to share the most common and easiest methods: using Command Prompt, Task Manager, or the Taskbar.
Method 1: Check your IP address using Command Prompt
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination , the Run dialog box will appear, type Cmd , and then press OK .
Step 2: In the window that appears, type the command ipconfig , then press Enter .
Step 3: The IP address information is displayed after the IPv4 Address content .
Method 2: Check your IP address using Task Manager
Step 1: Place your mouse cursor on the Taskbar, then click on Task Manager .
Step 2: Switch to the Performance tab , select either Ethernet (wired network) or Wifi (wireless network), then view the IP address under IPv4 Address .
Instructions on how to check your IP address on a MacBook computer.
How to view your public IP address on a MacBook
Just like how to view your public IP address on your phone, you can view your public IP address by following the steps above.
How to view your personal IP address on a MacBook
You can usually check your personal IP address on your MacBook in two ways:
Method 1: Check in system settings
Step 1: First, click on the Apple logo icon in the upper left corner of the screen , then click on System Preferences .
Step 2: Click on the Network tool icon to access the network connection information panel.
Step 3: In the area below the status bar, you will see the IP address information.
Method 2: Check using Terminal
Step 1: Press the Cmd + Space key combination to open the search dialog box, then type ' Terminal ', search for and access it.
Step 2: Next, use the command ' ifconfig | grep 'inet ' | grep -v 127.0.0.1 ' to display all the important information about your personal IP address. The correct IP address of the machine is the series of numbers after the word ' inet '.
In conclusion
In summary, this article has answered your questions about "what is an IP address" and "where to check your IP address". These are all essential pieces of knowledge and tips that can be very helpful in your work and life. If you have successfully used these tips, please leave a comment to give me more motivation to continue sharing the most useful knowledge with everyone.
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