IP address

An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label that is connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two main functions: network interface identification and location addressing.

Versions

Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) has a size of 32-bits.

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) has a size of 128-bits.

Address assignment

IP addresses are assigned to a host either dynamically as they join the network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), or persistently by configuration of the host hardware or software. Persistent configuration is also known as using a static IP address, and when a host’s IP address is assigned each time it restarts, this is known as using a dynamic IP address.