IP Addressing Series – Part 1: Understanding IP Addressing Fundamentals in Networking

Understand the Concept of IP Address in Networking – Beginner friendly guide

In today’s modern world, communication between multiple devices is only possible because every connected device has a unique identity, which is called an IP address. Every device connected to a network requires an IP address for communication.

IP addressing is one of the most important topics of networking because it is used to locate devices and make communication possible between the right devices. Without an IP address the internet would stop working, devices send information to wrong destination.

In today’s blog, we will understand what an IP address in details and beginner friendly way. Before learning the advanced topics of cybersecurity, a basic understanding of IP addressing is very important for learners.

before learning IP Address, you also have knowledge about basic networking concepts.

Let’s understand the concept of an IP Address.

An IP address stands for Internet Protocol Address, which is a unique logical address. Logical address means it can be changed anytime and assigned to every single device that is connected to a network.

An IP address is used to recognize devices inside a network, and it is also used to make communication workable between all the devices that are connected inside a network.

The representation of an IP Address is (192.168.1.13). An IP address is a unique address of every device that is linked in a network. When the sender device sends data through the internet, the receiver device needs an IP address so the data reaches the right destination device.

Why IP Address Important in networking?

An IP address is very important in networking because it is used to make communication possible between computer networks.

Every single task you perform using the internet is done with the help of an IP address. Your device uses an IP address to communicate with the destination device or server.

For example:

A User types a website youtube.com in the browser, the browser discovers the IP address of the website, then user’s device sends a request to that IP address, and then the server returns the data.

All this Occur with the help of an IP address. Data travels in networking using different networking devices.

How does an IP address work?

Every data that travels across a network requires two types of addresses.

• Sender address
• Receiver address

Let’s understand in detail.

(Assume a user wants to open a random website)

1^st Step:

User’s Device (mobile or laptop) forwards a request to the website server.

2^nd Step:

The User laptop has its own IP address, which is called the source IP. The website also has its own IP address, which is called the destination IP.

3^rd Step:

Routers check the IP address and select the best route for data delivery.

4^th Step:

Finally, the server sends the webpage back to the destination laptop using the IP address. All this procedure is done in just a few seconds, without an IP address, the router has no idea where to send the data.

This is why the IP address is known as the backbone of network communication. Also, learn how IP addresses work within the OSI Model layers.

Parts of IP Addressing

An IP address is separated into two parts:

• Network ID
• Host ID

IP Address 192.168.1.13

Here:

• 192.168.1 This Section is Network ID
• 13 This section is Host ID

Which means the device Spots in 192.168.1 network and 13 is the unique number of device.

Network ID

If many computers are connected, then the network ID identifies in which network the device is part of.

Router first views the network ID and then choose in which network the data should be sent.

Host ID

The host ID is used to detect a specific device inside the network. Means every network has many devices, so the host ID tells the network which right device should receive data.

To understand IP Address communication, first learn how data flows in networking layers.

Types of IP Addressing

There are four common types of IP addresses,

• Public IP address
• Private IP address
• Static IP address
• Dynamic IP address

Let’s understand both in detail.

Public IP address

A router makes uses of a Public IP address for making conversation with the internet. It is given by the ISP (internet service provider). A Public IP address is visible on the internet, and other networks find your network with it.

Private IP address

A router assigns a Private IP address to all the connected devices inside a local network, like mobile, laptop, tablet, TV etc. These IP addresses are not visible on the internet, it only used for communication inside a local network.

Real – Life example of Public and Private IP

Suppose the User wants to open YouTube on mobile:

1^st Step: the User mobile has a private IP address assigned by the router. The YouTube request goes to the router.

2^nd Step: The router has a public IP address and router forward user’s private request to the internet using the public IP.

3^rd Step: The YouTube server gets the public IP request and sends the YouTube video data back to the same public IP.

4^th Step: The router sends back the request to the correct device of the user using the private IP.

Static IP address

A static IP address never change until manually changed, it stays same for a long time. This IP address is manually used for devices such as:

• Servers
• Printers
• CCTV
• Hosting services
• Network device
• Databases

Every time these devices connect to the network, they use the same IP address that is manually allocated to those devices.

Dynamic IP address

A dynamic IP address changes automatically when a device is connected to the network. It is allocated by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

The dynamic IP address is uses for such devices:

• Home internet
• Mobile phone
• Laptop
• Office computer
• Wi-Fi users

Most internet users use a dynamic IP address, when they are connected to the network, every time they receive a different IP address.

Difference between IP address and MAC address

Sometimes Students confused between IP Address and MAC Address. This table helps to understand the difference between an IP address and a MAC address. 

Interview Questions to Remember

Define an IP address?

IP address stands for Internet protocol address. It is a unique logical address that assign to every device connected to a network.

Why IP address also known as a logical address?

It is also knowns as logical address because it is non-permanent Id address it can be change anytime. It is assign by the software and network administrator.

Is it possible if a device connected to a network but have no IP address?

It is not possible because the device cannot start conversation on the network or do not access the internet without IP address.

Explain the concept of IP address with an example?

IP address is used to find each devices on a network. For example, home address is used to deliver parcel to the correct destination, just like that IP address helps data to reach the correct device.

Tell the name of two parts of an IP address?

IP address divided into two parts:

• Network ID
• Host ID

Define network ID?

If multiple computer are connected, then network ID identifies in which network the device belongs to.

Define Host ID?

The host ID is used to identify specific device inside the network. Means every network have multiple devices so host ID tells the network which exact device should receive data.

Define a public IP address?

A router uses Public IP address to communicate with the internet. It is provided by the (ISP) internet service provider.

Define a private IP address?

A router assign Public IP address to all the connected device inside a local network, like movie, laptop, tablet, TV etc.

Tell the uses of a private IP address?

Private IP address is used for communication between devices within a local network like home, office and small building.

Who assigns the private or public IP address?

Public IP address is Assign by the ISP which is stand for  internet service provider while private IP address is assign by DHCP which is stands for dynamic host configuration protocol.

Define static IP address?

A static IP address does not change, it is remain fix for a long time. Every time devices connects to the network, they uses the same IP address that are manually assign to that devices.

Define a Dynamic IP address?

A dynamic IP address change automatically when device connected to the network. It is assign by DHCP (Dynamic Host configuration protocol).

Define DHCP?

DHCP stands for  (Dynamic Host configuration protocol). It automatically assigns IP address to devices connected in a network.

Tell difference between a Static IP address and a dynamic IP address?

A static IP address does not change, it is remain fix for a long time while a dynamic IP address change automatically when device connected to the network.

Tell difference between an IP address and a Mac address?

An IP address is a logical address that is assigned to every device on a network and can be changed anytime, while a MAC address is a physical address which is assign to every device’s hardware and it is permanent.

Can we change the IP address or the MAC address?

Yes, we can change IP address, but we can’t change the MAC address because it usually remains permanent.

Why the IP address is also known as the backbone of networking?

Because the IP address is most important fundamental of computer networking, because it is used to make communication possible between devices.

Conclusion

An IP address is one of the most important fundamental of computer networking because it is used to make communication possible between devices. Every single device that is connected to a network needs an IP address to send and receive data, such as mobile, laptop, printer, serve and router.

Understanding the concept of IP addressing, network ID, host ID, and types of IP address helps students to build a strong foundation in networking.

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