Internet Protocol address - An IP address is a 32-bit number (4 decimal numbers separated by a point, e.g. 000.000.000.000) that uniquely identifies each computer (or device) connected to the network using the TCP/IP protocol. The IP address has two functions:
- to uniquely identify a device connected to the network
- to provide the route to reach this device
IP addresses can be:
Dynamic - They are assigned by a DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) within a LAN network dynamically and automatically between a series of available addresses.
Statics - These are addresses that remain equal over time.