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PyNet Labs- Network Automation Specialists

What are the Different Types of IP Address?

Author : PyNet Labs
Last Modified: September 19, 2024 
Date: February 6, 2024
A blog featured image with text - Different Types of IP Address and showcasing an image of consumer IP Address.

Introduction

The Internet has changed the way we communicate, access information, and share data. With the help of the Internet, one can connect with people as well as devices all over the world, regardless of physical distance or location. But the question that arises now is, how do devices identify each other and communicate? The answer is IP address.

IP addresses are numerical labels assigned to each device that wants to connect to the Internet. Some of the examples of such devices are computers, smartphones, routers, etc. In this blog, we will explain what is IP address, different types of IP addresses in networking, and different versions of IP addresses.  Let’s first understand what an IP address is.

What is an IP Address?

IP stands for Internet Protocol, and it is a set of rules that governs how data is transmitted over the Internet. An IP address is a 32-bit or 128-bit number that uniquely identifies a device on the Internet. An IP address consists of four or eight groups of binary digits separated by dots or colons. For example, 192.168.1.1 or 2001:db8::1 are valid IP addresses.

An IP address serves two main functions:

  • Host Identification: Host identification means that an IP address can uniquely identify a specific device (or host) on a network.
  • Location Addressing: Location addressing means that an IP address can specify the logical or physical location of a device on a network.

An IP address is assigned to a device by a DHCP server, which is a software program that manages the distribution of IP addresses on a network. A DHCP server can assign an IP address dynamically (meaning it can change over time) or statically (meaning it remains fixed).

How are IP Addresses Generated?

IP addresses are generated with the help of a specific system in order to ensure the unique identification of devices on the Internet. The process begins with the IANA, also known as Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. It is responsible for allocating a range of IP addresses to RIRs (Regional Internet Registries). RIRs mainly manage the IP addresses for specific regions. After this, the main task of RIRs is to allocate IP addresses to ISPs (Internet Service Providers). ISPs finally assign the IP addresses to their customers.

When the device connects to the Internet, the ISP’s DHCP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server assigns an available IP address from its pool. This IP address is a combination of four numbers separated by dots ranging from 0 to 255. One such example of the IP address is 192.0.2.1.

Now, you must be curious about how IP addresses work. Let us understand in detail.

IP Address Working

With the help of IP addresses, it is now possible to send as well as receive data over the Internet which in return allows devices to communicate with one another worldwide. An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to every single device that is connected to the Internet.

Now, the process begins when a device sends a request to access a website or a server. This request is directed to a DNS, which then translates the website’s domain name into the corresponding IP address.

Mainly, there are two IP addresses i.e., IPv4 (32-bit addresses) and IPv6 (128-bit addresses). When a request is sent, the IP address is used in order to identify the destination device, and data is routed through the internet backbone (a network of high-speed connections) to reach the intended device. Once the data reaches the destination, the IP address ensures it is delivered to the correct device, allowing the requested data to be displayed on the user’s screen.

Now we have a basic understanding of IP addresses, let’s discuss different IP address types.

Types of IP Address

There are different types of IP address based on their scope, allocation, and usage. We have classified IP addresses into three categories, i.e., Consumer IP addresses, Website IP addresses, and IP addresses based on Operational characteristics. Let’s Begin!

Consumer IP Addresses

Consumer IP addresses are those users who utilize the Internet. These can be public or private. Private IP addresses can be used within a network, whereas public IP addresses are utilized outside a network. Below, we have explained with the help of an image.

A consumer IP Address showing both Public and Private IP Addresses.

Public IP Address

A public IP address is an IP address that can be accessed from any device on the Internet. It is also called a primary address or an external address. A public IP address is unique and can be used to locate and identify a device on the Internet. A public IP address is assigned to your router by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your router then uses a technique called Network Address Translation (NAT) to share this public IP address with all the devices connected to your home network.

For example, if you visit What is my IP, you will see your public IP address displayed on the screen. This is the same IP address that other websites or servers see when you access them from your browser.

Public IP addresses can be further classified into static and dynamic IP addresses. Let’s understand both these IP addresses in detail.

  • Static IP Address

A static IP address is an IP address that does not change over time. It is manually configured by the user or the network administrator and remains fixed until it is changed again. Static IP addresses are usually used for devices that need to be easily identifiable or accessible on a network, such as servers, printers, cameras, or routers. Let’s take an example for better understanding.

For example, if you want to set up a web server on your home network, you might assign it a static IP address like 192.168.1.100. This way, you can always access it from any device on your network using this address.

  • Dynamic IP address

A dynamic IP address is an IP address that changes periodically. It is automatically assigned by a DHCP server based on the availability of addresses on the network. Dynamic IP addresses are more common than static ones because they are easier to manage and more efficient in terms of resource utilization. Let’s take an example.

For example, if you connect your laptop to a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop, you will receive a dynamic IP address from the DHCP server of that network. This IP address will be valid only for the duration of your connection and will be released when you disconnect.

Private IP Address

A private IP address is an IP address that can only be accessed from devices within your home network. It is also called a secondary address or an internal address. A private IP address is assigned to each device by your router using DHCP. Private IP addresses are not visible to the outside world and cannot be used to communicate with devices on other networks.

For example, if you open the command prompt on your Windows PC and type ipconfig, you will see your private IP address displayed under the IPv4 Address. This is the same IP address that you use to access other devices on your home network, such as printers or smart TVs.

A command prompt showing how you can find the Private IP Address using it.

These are the two Consumer IP Address Types. Let’s now discuss the next one in IP Address types.

Website IP Addresses

A website IP address is an IP address that is associated with a website or a domain name. A website IP address can be either dedicated or shared. Let’s understand both of these protocols in detail.

Dedicated IP Address

A dedicated IP address is an IP address that is exclusively assigned to a single website or domain. It means that no other website or domain can use the same IP address. Dedicated IP addresses are usually more expensive and less common than shared ones. They are mainly used for websites that need higher security, performance, or reliability, such as e-commerce sites, online banking sites, or email servers.

For example, if you visit https://www.pynetlabs.com/, you will see that it has a dedicated IP address of 172.67.172.178. This means that only pynetlabs.com can use this IP address, and no other website can share it.

Shared IP Address

A shared IP address is an IP address that is shared by multiple websites or domains. It means that several websites or domains can use the same IP address. Shared IP addresses are usually cheaper and more common than dedicated ones. They are mainly used for websites that do not have high requirements for security, performance, or reliability, such as blogs, forums, or personal sites.

These are the two Website IP Address Types. Now, let’s move on to the last one in the list of types of IP Address.

IP Addresses Based on Operational Characteristics

There are four types of IP addresses based on their operational characteristics: unicast, multicast, anycast, and broadcast.

Unicast IP Address

A unicast IP address is an IP address that is used for one-to-one communication between a sender and a receiver. It means that a packet sent from a source device to a destination device with a unicast IP address will be delivered to that specific device only. Unicast IP addresses are the most common type of IP address on the Internet.

For example, when you send an email to someone, you use their unicast IP address to deliver the message to their inbox.

A network topology with 4 PCs connected to a router which is finally connected to the  destination device. Showcasing unicast transmission.

Multicast IP Address

A multicast IP address is an IP address that is used for one-to-many communication between a sender and multiple receivers. It means that a packet sent from a source device to a destination device with a multicast IP address will be delivered to all the devices that have joined the multicast group associated with that address. Multicast IP addresses are mainly used for streaming media, video conferencing, or online gaming.

For example, when you watch a live video on YouTube, you use a multicast IP address to receive the stream from the server along with many other viewers.

4 PCs connected to a router which is connected to the destination PC. The Destination PC is getting data from 2 PCs showcasing multicast.

Broadcast IP Address

A broadcast IP address is an IP address that is used for one-to-all communication between a sender and all the receivers on a network. It means that a packet sent from a source device to a destination device with a broadcast IP address will be delivered to every device on the network regardless of their individual addresses. Broadcast IP addresses are mainly used for network discovery, configuration, or maintenance.

For example, when you connect your printer to your home network, you use a broadcast IP address to announce its presence and request an IP address from the DHCP server. Learn the difference between Multicast and Broadcast.

4 PCs connected to a router which is connected to the destination PC. The Destination PC is getting data from all PCs showcasing broadcast.

Anycast IP Address

This address is used for a specific group of devices where the data is sent to the closest or most appropriate device within the group. It’s often used for content delivery networks (CDNs) to ensure users access content from the nearest server.

For example, imagine sending a package with multiple potential delivery points, and the closest one gets the delivery.

These are the four types of IP Addresses Based on Operational Characteristics. Let’s now look at the different versions of IP addresses.

Versions of IP Address

IP addresses can also be classified based on their versions or formats. There are two versions of IP address: IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4

IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the first and most widely used version of the IP address. It has a 32-bit address space, which means it can support up to 4.3 billion (2^32) unique addresses. However, due to the rapid growth of the Internet and the depletion of available addresses, IPv4 is insufficient to meet the network’s current and future demands. IPv4 addresses are written in decimal notation, which consists of four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.32. Each number can range from 0 to 255.

IPv6

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6. It is the latest and most advanced version of an IP address. It has a 128-bit address space, which means it can support up to 340 undecillion (2^128) unique addresses. This is enough to assign an IP address to every atom on Earth and still have plenty left over. IPv6 is designed to overcome the limitations of IPv4 and provide enhanced features such as security, mobility, and scalability.

Below, we have shown both the IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses with the help of an image.

A command prompt window showing both the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

Note: one can search for their respective IP address versions in Windows cmd>>ipconfig.

Structure of IP Address

The Structure of an IP address is written in a “dotted decimal” format. It consists of four sets of numbers separated by dots. Each set is known as an “Octet” and ranges from 0 to 255.

Let us take an example to help you understand better.

IP Address Structure showing 4 bits of address where 2 are Network Address and 2 are Host Address

An IP address looks like this, i.e., 192.168.1.2. It is divided into four parts separated by dots.

It is important to note that the first two octets are part of the Network Address, and the last two are part of the Host Address.

  • The first part, i.e., “192”, is the Network ID. The primary purpose of Network ID is to identify the network to which the device is connected.
  • The last part, i.e., “2”, is the Host ID. The Host ID is mainly responsible for identifying the specific device on that network.

How to find your IP Address?

Below, we have explained three methods by which you can look up your IP address. These include:

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Google

Method 1: Looking up an IP address on a Windows PC

  1. Click on the Start button (or press the Windows key).
  2. Type “cmd” in the search bar and press Enter.
  3. This will open the Command Prompt app.
  4. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
  5. Your IP address will be displayed under “IPv4 Address”.
An image showing your IP Address after the whole process

Alternatively, you can go to the Control Panel to look up your IP address:

  • First, go to the Network and Internet.
In control panel choose network and internet
  • In network and Internet select Network and Sharing Center.
Select network and sharing center in Network and Internet
  • After that select the connections as shown below.
Now, select connections to find your IP Address
  • Then select the details and you will get your IP address.
At last, select details to find your IP Address

Method 2: Looking up an IP address on a Mac

  • Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
  • Click on “Network”.
Select Network to move to next step to finding your IP Address
  • Select your network interface (e.g. Ethernet or Wi-Fi) from the left-hand menu and click on the “Advanced” button.
Now, select Advanced to ding find your IP Address
  • Click on the “TCP/IP” tab.
Now, select TCP/IP and you will see your IP Address
  • Your IP address will be displayed under “IPv4 Address”.

Alternatively, you can use the Terminal app to look up your IP address:

  • Open the Terminal app (found in Applications/Utilities).
  • Type ifconfig and press Enter.
You can also type ifconfig to find your IP Address
  • Your IP address will be displayed under “inet” or “IPv4 Address”.

Method 3: Looking up the IP address using Google

  1. Open Google in your web browser.
  2. Type what is my IP (or what’s my IP or my IP) in the search bar and press Enter.
  3. Google will display your IP address on the search results page.

Note: The Google method will show you your public IP address, which is the IP address that your router is using to connect to the internet. The Mac and Windows methods will show you your private IP address, which is the IP address that your device is using to connect to your local network.

IP Address Security Threats

There are different types of risks as well as vulnerabilities associated with IP addresses. There are many ways by which one can know your IP address, and after that can cause damage to your system and resources. Some of these are:

  • Online Stalking
  • Tracking down the location
  • Downloading Illegal content
  • Social Engineering, and many more.

Once the hacker gets your IP address, it is now easy for them to carry out various IP address attacks.  Below, we have explained the detailed explanation in the image.

A web in background and IP Address Security Threats in the middle and 6 issues around it.

IP Spoofing

It is the most common IP address security threat. Hackers can fake their IP address in order to impersonate a trustworthy source. This allows them a free pathway to access sensitive information.

DoS Attacks

In such types of threats, attacks can overwhelm a network as well as websites with traffic from multiple IP addresses. This will cause the network or website to crash.

IP Address Hijacking

Attackers can hijack IP addresses in order to redirect users to malicious websites or steal sensitive information.

BGP Hijacking

Hackers can hijack BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) routes to redirect internet traffic. This allows them to steal sensitive information or inject malware.

DDNS Abuse

Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in DDNS (Dynamic DNS) systems to redirect users to malicious websites or steal sensitive information.

MITM Attacks

MITM is also known as a Man-in-the- middle attack. In such attacks, Hackers can intercept and alter communication between two parties, using their own IP addresses to eavesdrop and steal sensitive data.

How to Protect and Hide IP Address

When you use the internet, your device is assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which can reveal your location and identity. To protect your privacy, you can hide your IP address. Below, we have discussed two ways by which you can protect as well hide your IP address.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

One way to do this is by using a VPN. A VPN creates a secure connection between your device and a VPN server, making it seem like your internet traffic is coming from the VPN server’s IP address instead of your own. This way, your true IP address remains hidden.

Proxy Server

Another way to hide your IP address is by using proxy servers or the Tor network, which also redirects your internet traffic through a third-party server, masking your IP address.

This is how you can protect your IP Address. Now, we have everything related to IP Address and all Types of IP Address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the 4 types of IP addresses?

The 4 types of IP addresses are:

  1. Public IP address
  2. Private IP address
  3. Static IP address
  4. Dynamic IP address

Q2. Why are there 2 types of IP address?

There are two types of IP addresses, namely public and private IP addresses. Private IP addresses are the ones that are used inside a network. Meanwhile, public IP addresses are the ones that are used outside of a network.

Q3. What are the 4 parts of the IP address?

The four parts of the IP address are:

  1. Network class
  2. Network
  3. Subnet
  4. Device

These four sections or hierarchical structures responsible for the proper functioning of computer networks.

Q4. What are 2 commonly used IP addresses?

The two commonly used IP addresses are IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4, which supports up to 2^32 unique addresses. Whereas IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version, which supports up to 2^128 unique addresses.

Conclusion

IP addresses are crucial for the functioning of the Internet as well as network communication. With the help of IP addresses, devices can share data across the networks. In this blog, we have explained “what is IP address” and types of IP addresses with examples for better understanding.

If you have doubts or suggestions, feel free to use the comment section below. We recommend CCNA Course to understand IP Address and its types in detail.

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