Imagine sending a letter to a friend. You need their address to ensure it reaches them. IP addresses work similarly, connecting devices on the internet.

What's an IP Address?

An IP address is a unique identifier helping devices communicate online. It's like a digital street address.

Why Do We Need IP Addresses?

• Your laptop to access websites
• Your smartphone to stream videos
• Your smart home devices to connect IP Address Structure

An IP address has four numbers separated by dots (XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX). Think of it like a zip code, street number, building number, and apartment number.

In the past, IP addresses were categorized into five classes:

• Class A: Large networks

• Class B: Medium networks

• Class C: Small networks

• Class D: Multicast addresses

• Class E: Reserved for future use
  The Evolution of IP Addresses: IPv4 to IPv6

As the internet grew, IPv4 addresses became scarce. IPv6 addresses provide a much larger address space, ensuring:

• More devices can connect

• Improved security