IP (Internet Protocol) is a fundamental protocol used in computer networks to identify and communicate with devices connected to the Internet. It assigns a unique address to each device, allowing them to send and receive data. There are two primary classifications of IP addresses: public IP addresses and private IP addresses.
Public IP Addresses:
A public IP address is an address that is globally unique and can be accessed from the internet. It is assigned to a device by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and allows the device to communicate with other devices on the Internet. Public IP addresses are typically used by servers, websites, and devices that need to be directly accessible from the internet.
Private IP Addresses:
A private IP address is an address assigned to devices within a private network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a home network. Private IP addresses are used for internal communication within the network and are not directly accessible from the Internet. Private IP addresses are defined in the following ranges:
IPv4 Private IP Addresses:
Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
IPv6 Private IP Addresses:
The block fc00::/7 is reserved for unique local addresses (ULAs) within a private network.
Private IP addresses are commonly used by devices such as computers, smartphones, printers, and other devices connected to a local network. They enable communication and sharing of resources within the network, while public IP addresses are used for communication with the external internet.
Network Address Translation (NAT) is often used to allow devices with private IP addresses to access the internet using a single public IP address. The NAT process modifies the IP headers of outgoing and incoming network packets to translate between the private and public IP addresses.
In summary, public IP addresses are globally unique addresses used for devices accessible from the Internet, while private IP addresses are used within private networks and are not directly accessible from the Internet. NAT is commonly used to enable devices with private IP addresses to access the internet using a shared public IP address.