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[[Image:IPv4_address_structure_and_writing_systems-en.svg|left|IPv4 address structure and writing systems-en|thumb]] [[Image:Ipv6_address.svg|left|Ipv6 address|thumb|left]] '''IP address''' (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a [[computer network]] that uses the [[Internet Protocol]] for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. Internet Protocol version 4 ([[IPv4]]) and Internet Protocol version 6 ([[IPv6]]) are the two versions of IP addresses currently in use.

== Overview ==
IP addresses are an essential component of the [[Internet]]'s architecture. They allow devices to communicate with each other by providing a unique identifier for each device on the network. This uniqueness ensures that data sent over the Internet reaches the correct destination.

=== IPv4 ===
[[IPv4]] addresses are 32-bit numbers that are typically expressed as four decimal numbers, each ranging from 0 to 255, separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Due to the limited number of available IPv4 addresses, a system called [[Network Address Translation]] (NAT) is often used to allow multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address.

=== IPv6 ===
[[IPv6]] was developed to address the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers, allowing for a vastly larger number of unique addresses. They are usually written as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

== Types of IP Addresses ==
There are several types of IP addresses, including public, private, static, and dynamic addresses.

=== Public and Private IP Addresses ===
Public IP addresses are assigned to devices that need to be directly accessible over the Internet, such as web servers. Private IP addresses are used within private networks and are not routable on the Internet. Devices with private IP addresses can communicate with the Internet through a device (e.g., a router) that has a public IP address, using NAT.

=== Static and Dynamic IP Addresses ===
Static IP addresses are permanently assigned to a device, meaning the address does not change over time. Dynamic IP addresses, on the other hand, are assigned temporarily and can change over time. Dynamic IP addresses are typically managed by a [[Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol]] (DHCP) server.

== IP Address Allocation ==
The allocation of IP addresses is managed by the [[Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]] (IANA) globally, and by five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) regionally. These organizations ensure that IP addresses are allocated in a coordinated and fair manner to prevent overlap and ensure efficient use of the available address space.

== Security and Privacy Concerns ==
IP addresses can be used to approximate the location of a device and, in some cases, identify the user. This has raised privacy concerns, leading to the development of technologies such as [[Virtual Private Networks]] (VPNs) and [[Tor (anonymity network)|Tor]], which aim to protect users' privacy by masking their IP addresses.

== Conclusion ==
IP addresses are a fundamental element of the Internet, enabling devices to communicate with each other. The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 is an ongoing process that will ensure the continued growth and functionality of the Internet in the face of IPv4 address exhaustion.

[[Category:Internet Protocol]]
[[Category:Computer networking]]
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