IP Address: what it is, what it's for and how to find it

Quick summary

• What it is: An IP address (Internet Protocol) is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to an IP network.
• What it's for: it helps connect the domain with the website, email and other associated services.
• When to check it: when changing DNS servers, connecting a domain, configuring email or reviewing propagation.

An IP address (Internet Protocol) is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to an IP network. It is a number that allows communication and routing of data across a network, whether on the Internet or a local network.

An IP address consists of a series of numbers separated by periods (in the case of IPv4) or colons (in the case of IPv6). In IPv4, an IP address is typically represented in decimal format with four groups of numbers, for example, 192.168.0.1. In IPv6, IP addresses are longer and are represented in hexadecimal format, for example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

The IP address is used to uniquely identify a device on a network and allows data to be sent and received correctly between connected devices. In addition to being an identifier, IP addresses are also used for routing data packets across the network, ensuring that data reaches the correct destination.

Each device connected to a network has an IP address assigned, either statically (assigned manually) or dynamically (assigned automatically by a DHCP server). IP addresses can be used to access online services, configure network devices, allow or restrict access to resources and much more.

How does an IP address work?

An IP address (Internet Protocol) functions as a unique identifier for devices connected to an IP network. It allows devices to communicate with each other and send data over the Internet or a local network. Here is how an IP address works:

1. Address assignment: Each device connected to an IP network must have a unique IP address. There are two main ways to assign IP addresses:

   • Static IP address: Assigned manually to a device and remains constant over time. Commonly used on servers and network devices.

   • Dynamic IP address: Automatically assigned to a device through an IP address assignment protocol, such as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Dynamic IP addresses can change each time a device connects to the network.

2. Classification and routing: IP addresses are classified into different ranges and used for data routing. Routers and network devices examine source and destination IP addresses to determine how data should be sent across the network. Routing protocols such as BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) and OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) are used to exchange routing information and make decisions about the best path for data transmission.

3. OSI model layers: IP addresses operate at the network layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. This layer is responsible for logical addressing, routing and fragmentation of data into packets for transmission.

4. Internet protocols: Internet protocols such as IPv4 and IPv6 define the format and structure of IP addresses, as well as procedures for routing and data delivery.

In summary, an IP address enables the unique identification of devices on an IP network and facilitates routing and data delivery. It is essential for the functioning of the Internet and communication between devices on different networks.

What is my IP address?

To find out what your public IP address is, you can view it at www.su-IP.es

What is the IP of your hosting service?

If your hosting is with Bacan, the IP of your account is in the email we sent you when you signed up for the service. If you do not have this email, you can ask us for it again from your customer area, or you can also ping your domain.

What is the difference between a MAC address and an IP address?

The MAC address (Media Access Control) and the IP address (Internet Protocol) are two types of addresses used in networks, but they have different purposes and characteristics:

1. MAC address: The MAC address is a unique identifier built into a device's network card. It is assigned by the manufacturer and used at the data link layer of a network. The MAC address is a combination of 6 pairs of alphanumeric characters (for example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E) and is used to uniquely identify a device on a local network. It is independent of the network and does not change, even if the device connects to different networks. The MAC address is used in the direct communication process between devices on a local network.

2. IP address: The IP address is a unique number assigned to a device on an IP network. It is used to identify and route data on a network, both in local networks and on the Internet. The IP address consists of 32 bits (in IPv4) or 128 bits (in IPv6) and is represented in decimal (IPv4) or hexadecimal (IPv6) format. The IP address is assigned dynamically or statically and can change depending on the network the device connects to. The IP address is used to identify and route data traffic across networks and enables communication between devices on different networks.

In summary, the MAC address is a unique physical identifier for a specific network card, while the IP address is a logical identifier used to route data on a network. The MAC address is used at the data link layer for direct communication between devices on a local network, while the IP address is used at the network layer to route data between networks and enable communication over the Internet.

What is the difference between a public and a private IP address?

Just as networks can be public or private, IPs can also be public or private. Your public IP is the one you can see above on this page, but your computer may also have a private IP if it is connected to a computer network at home or in the office. Within a private network, all devices have a unique private IP for that device, but all those devices share the same public IP, which is the one assigned to the router that provides Internet access. In many cases the public IP is also called the external IP, since it is the IP external to the private network.

Static and Dynamic IP Addresses

IP addresses can be static or dynamic, depending on how they are assigned and whether they remain constant or change over time. Here are the differences between them:

Static IP address:

• A static IP address is manually assigned to a device and remains constant over time.
• Commonly used on servers, network devices and sometimes on specific devices that need to maintain a fixed IP address.
• Allows easy identification of the device and is useful for applications that require constant access to that device through a specific IP address.
• Requires manual configuration to assign the IP address on the device and must also be configured on the router or DHCP server to avoid conflicts.

Dynamic IP address:

• A dynamic IP address is automatically assigned to a device using an IP address assignment protocol, such as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
• The device requests an IP address from the DHCP server on the network and the server assigns an available address temporarily.
• The IP address can change each time the device connects to the network or when the DHCP assignment is renewed.
• Commonly used in home networks, offices and Internet service providers (ISPs) to efficiently manage a large number of devices.
• Allows more flexible management of IP addresses on the network, as addresses are assigned dynamically based on need and availability.

Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. Static IP addresses are useful when you need constant access to a specific device. Dynamic IP addresses are convenient for managing large networks and allow more efficient IP address assignment.

What classes of IP addresses are there?

In IPv4, IP addresses were divided into five different classes: A, B, C, D and E. These classes were used to assign IP address ranges to different types of networks.

1. Class A: Class A addresses are used for large networks. The first octet (8 bits) identifies the network and the remaining three octets (24 bits) identify the hosts. Class A addresses have a range of 1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0.

2. Class B: Class B addresses are used for medium-sized networks. The first two octets (16 bits) identify the network and the remaining two octets (16 bits) identify the hosts. Class B addresses have a range of 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.0.0.

3. Class C: Class C addresses are used for smaller networks. The first three octets (24 bits) identify the network and the last octet (8 bits) identifies the hosts. Class C addresses have a range of 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.0.

4. Class D: Class D addresses are reserved for multicasting, meaning sending data to multiple hosts in a single transmission. These addresses have a range of 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.

5. Class E: Class E addresses are reserved for experimental purposes and are not used for public networks. They have a range of 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.

It is important to note that with the adoption of IPv6, which uses 128-bit addresses, class classification no longer applies and address assignment is more flexible and scalable.

What is an IPv4 address?

An IPv4 address is a unique address used in Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4). It is a widely used standard for the identification and location of devices on IP networks.

An IPv4 address consists of 32 bits and is represented as four sets of decimal numbers separated by periods. For example, an IPv4 address might be 192.168.0.1.

What is an IPv6 address?

An IPv6 address is a unique address used in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). IPv6 is the evolution of the IPv4 protocol and was developed to meet the growing demand for IP addresses due to the increase in devices connected to the Internet.

An IPv6 address consists of 128 bits, unlike the 32 bits of an IPv4 address. An IPv6 address is represented by eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons. For example, an IPv6 address might be 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

The main difference between IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) lies in the structure and number of available IP addresses.

IPv4 uses a 32-bit address format, expressed in four sets of numbers separated by periods (for example, 192.168.0.1). This provides approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses, which has led to a shortage of IP addresses due to the exponential growth of devices connected to the Internet.

On the other hand, IPv6 uses a 128-bit address format, represented in eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons (for example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). This allows a massive number of IP addresses, approximately 340 sextillion (10^38), which solves the address shortage problem and allows for greater expansion of devices and services on the Internet.

In addition to the difference in the number of available addresses, IPv6 also offers improvements in security, address autoconfiguration and routing efficiency, among other features. However, IPv4 is still widely used due to its existing infrastructure and the need for a gradual transition to IPv6.

Why do I need to know my IP address?

Knowing your IP address can be useful in several scenarios:

1. Network connections and configurations: By knowing your IP address, you can make specific configurations on your local network, such as assigning static IP addresses, troubleshooting connection issues or configuring port forwarding for specific applications or services.

2. Remote access: If you want to remotely access your computer or device, knowing your IP address allows you to establish connections from another location and control your device remotely, for example, through remote access or desktop remote applications.

3. Online services: Some online services use the IP address to provide specific access or functionality. For example, certain streaming services may restrict access based on the geographic location associated with the IP address.

4. Security and privacy: By knowing your IP address, you can be more aware of your online identity and take steps to protect your privacy and security. This includes using security tools and configuring access restrictions on your network.

5. Troubleshooting connection issues: If you experience Internet connection problems, knowing your IP address can be useful for diagnosing and resolving network issues. By providing this information to your Internet service provider or technical support, they can offer more specific assistance.

Remember that there are online tools and services that can automatically provide your IP address, so you do not need to memorize it.

Why do we need IP addresses?

We need IP addresses so that devices connected to a computer network can communicate with each other over the Internet or a local network. IP addresses act as unique identifiers that allow data to be routed across the network. By assigning an IP address to a device, it is given the ability to send and receive information within the network.

IP addresses are essential for the functioning of the Internet, as they allow devices on the network to be identified and located. This facilitates the sending of data packets from the source to the correct destination. In addition, IP addresses are also used by online services and applications to enable interaction between users and servers, such as sending and receiving emails, web browsing, Internet calls, and more.

What can an IP address reveal?

An IP address can reveal certain information about the approximate geographic location of the device from which an Internet connection is being made. Through the IP address, it is possible to determine the region, city and even Internet service provider (ISP) associated with the device. However, the exact accuracy of the location can vary and does not provide detailed information about the exact physical address or identity of the user.

In addition to geographic location, the IP address can be used to track the online activity of a device, such as websites visited, communications made and other related data. However, to access that information, access to specific logs or activity records is required, and generally only competent authorities can legally obtain them with a legitimate purpose, as part of an investigation. Under normal conditions, the IP address itself does not provide personal details or private information about the user.

Do not confuse your connection IP with the IP of your hosting or website

It is very common to confuse your Internet connection IP with the IP of your hosting service. Generally, your Internet connection IP will be a dynamic IP, meaning it changes from time to time. However, the IP of your website will always be the same.

What is the IP of my router? Or external IP

Your router's IP is your public IP or external IP.

You can find out your public IP from here

When I enter my website's IP I don't see my website

That is completely normal. Keep in mind that the same IP address can host thousands of websites. Therefore you should not worry if your website's IP does not show your website. In this regard, what matters is that your website displays correctly. This technical aspect has no importance and your website will work perfectly at all levels whether it is visible at the IP or not. If you need a dedicated IP for your website, contact our sales team

Does my IP identify my geographic location?

Yes, absolutely. And each day it does so with more precision. That is how Google and other companies know where you are physically located. There is a database that identifies an IP with its geographic location. If you are interested in knowing where a given IP address is geographically located, you can check it at iplocation.net

How does my domain connect to my hosting service?

For all of us it is easier to remember the name of a company than its IP address, naturally. So that translation between name and IP is done through DNS servers. It is a technical aspect you do not need to worry about. Our hosting customers have a free, 100% managed and manageable DNS service. These servers translate your domain name to the IP assigned by your hosting provider.

To do this you need to install our DNS servers on your domain.

Is my local IP the same as my public IP?

No. In fact they will always be different. You can view your local IP with the "ipconfig" command run from a command window. And you can view your public IP from here

How can I change my IP address?

This is not the simplest answer, as it depends on different factors. Let us look at the most common cases below:

How to change my Internet connection IP?

Generally, the easy answer is: disconnect and reconnect it. And for most users to understand, "turn the router off and back on". This action generally causes your Internet provider to assign you a new IP address.

This action will work in most cases, but not all. Keep reading….

My Internet connection address is fixed. How do I change it?

In this case, to change it you need to speak with your Internet provider. If they have assigned you a fixed address, then only they can change it.

How do I change the IP address of my computer?

Your computer usually has two IP addresses, one for Internet connection, and one for your private local network. To change the local IP, it will depend on your operating system.

Why it matters in hosting

Understanding this concept will help you make better decisions when managing your service. In practice, it relates to the connection between the domain, the website, email and other associated services. If it appears in a guide, the control panel or a support response, review the context before making changes.

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