- Published on
What is an IP Address?
- Authors
- Name
- Skip2 Networks
- Title
- Content Manager
IP Address
What is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a network, functioning as the digital equivalent of a postal address that enables data to find its way to the correct destination across the internet. These addresses consist of a series of numbers that follow specific formatting rules – IPv4 addresses use four groups of numbers separated by periods (like 192.168.1.1), while the newer IPv6 format uses eight groups of hexadecimal characters separated by colons. Just as mail carriers use street addresses to deliver packages to the right house, routers and network equipment use IP addresses to route data packets through the complex web of interconnected networks that make up the internet.
IP addresses serve multiple critical functions beyond simple identification, including network organization, security enforcement, and geographic routing. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) allocate blocks of IP addresses to their customers, while organizations can obtain their own dedicated ranges for greater control over their network infrastructure. The geographic distribution of IP addresses also enables location-based services and content delivery optimization. CDNs leverage IP geolocation to determine user locations and route traffic to the nearest edge servers, significantly improving performance by reducing the physical distance data must travel.
IP Address Example
A streaming video service uses IP geolocation to enhance user experience and comply with content licensing agreements. When a user in London with IP address 81.2.69.142 requests a movie, the CDN's edge servers identify this as a UK-based address and automatically serve content from their London data center while applying region-appropriate content restrictions. Meanwhile, a user in Tokyo with IP address 210.188.201.21 receives the same content from nearby Japanese servers with different licensing terms, ensuring optimal performance and legal compliance for both viewers.
IP Address Types and Ranges
| Type | Format | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPv4 Public | xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx | 203.0.113.45 | Internet-routable addresses |
| IPv4 Private | 10.x.x.x, 192.168.x.x | 192.168.1.100 | Internal network use |
| IPv6 | xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx | 2001:db8::1 | Next-generation addressing |
| Loopback | 127.0.0.1 | 127.0.0.1 | Local machine testing |
IP Address Classifications
- Static IP - Permanently assigned address that doesn't change
- Dynamic IP - Temporarily assigned address that changes periodically
- Public IP - Globally unique address accessible from the internet
- Private IP - Local network address not directly internet-accessible
- Reserved IP - Special-purpose addresses for specific functions
CDN and IP Address Integration
- Anycast Routing - Multiple servers share the same IP for automatic failover
- Geolocation Services - Route users to nearest edge servers based on IP
- Load Balancing - Distribute traffic across multiple server IP addresses
- DDoS Protection - Filter malicious traffic based on source IP patterns
- Access Control - Allow or block content based on IP address ranges
IPv4 vs IPv6 Comparison
- Address Space - IPv4 provides ~4.3 billion addresses; IPv6 provides virtually unlimited
- Security - IPv6 includes built-in security features like IPSec
- Performance - IPv6 can offer improved routing efficiency
- Adoption - IPv4 remains dominant but IPv6 adoption is growing steadily