IP Address

An 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.

IP addresses serve two main purposes: Identifying the host or network

interface and providing the location of the host in the network.

Types of IP Addresses:

a. IPv4 Address:

● Format: Consists of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g.,

192.168.1.1).

● Range: Allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses (due to its
32-bit address space).

● Usage: Still widely used globally but facing exhaustion of available

addresses due to the growth of the internet and connected devices.

b. IPv6 Address:

● Format: Consists of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by

colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

● Range: Provides an enormous number of unique addresses

(approximately 340 undecillion), due to its 128-bit address space.

● Usage: Developed to address the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses and to

accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet.
It's becoming increasingly adopted, though IPv4 remains dominant in
many networks.

While dealing with IP addresses, following concepts are important:

a. Subnet Mask: This defines the network and host portions of an IP address.
Ensure that statically assigned IP addresses fall within the subnet used on
your network.

b. Default Gateway: This is the router's IP address, serving as the gateway for
devices to access the internet.

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c. DNS Servers: DNS servers translate domain names into IP addresses. You
can specify preferred and alternate DNS servers in static configurations or
configure them on your DHCP server for automatic assignment.

There are two main approaches to assigning IP addresses to devices on a

network:

a. Static Assignment: Manually configuring a specific IP address for each

device. (Think of it like assigning a fixed phone number to each device on
your network)

b. Dynamic Assignment (DHCP): Using a DHCP (Dynamic Host

Configuration Protocol) server to automatically assign IP addresses to
devices on the network. (Imagine a central system handing out
temporary phone numbers to devices as they join the network)

To view or change your IP settings follow the given steps:

1. Go to the Control Panel

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2. Select Network and Sharing Center.

3. Change Adapter Settings.

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4. Right-click on a network adapter.

5. Choose Properties.

6. Configure your IP settings under Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4).

Here, you can set DHCP or static addresses and define alternate
configurations if needed.

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NOTE: The internet service provider will provide IP address, subnet mask and
the default gateway.

Static Assignment for IPv4:

1. Access Device Settings: You'll need to access the network settings on each
device you want to assign a static IP address to. This can be done through
the device's operating system settings (e.g., network settings in Windows or
System Preferences on Mac).

2. Configure Network Settings: Locate the settings for "TCP/IPv4" or similar

terminology. Choose "Manual" or "Static" configuration.

3. Enter IP Address: Enter the desired static IPv4 address for the device. Ensure
it falls within the subnet you're using on your network (consult your router's
documentation for subnet details).

4. Subnet Mask and Gateway: Enter the subnet mask and default gateway
address (usually the IP address of your router).

5. DNS Servers (Optional): You can optionally specify preferred and alternate
DNS server addresses.

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Dynamic Assignment (DHCP) for IPv4:

1. Setup DHCP Server: Ensure that a DHCP server is set up and operational on
your network. This is often integrated into residential or small office routers.

2. Configure DHCP Settings: Access the DHCP server's settings (usually

through a web interface on the router).

3. Define IP Address Range: Specify the range of IPv4 addresses that the
DHCP server can assign to devices. This range should be within the private
IPv4 address range of your network.

4. Set Lease Duration: Determine the lease duration for IPv4 addresses (how
long a device can keep an assigned IP address before it must renew).

5. Apply Configuration: Save the DHCP server settings and ensure DHCP
service is enabled.

6. Join Devices to Network: Configure devices to obtain their IP addresses

automatically via DHCP. This is typically the default setting on most devices.

7. Obtain IP Address: When a device connects to the network, it sends a DHCP

request. The DHCP server assigns an available IPv4 address from the
defined range along with other network configuration settings (subnet
mask, gateway, DNS servers).

8. Renewal and Release: Periodically, devices will renew their lease on the IPv4
address, or they can release it when disconnecting from the network.

Static Assignment for IPv6:

IPv6 introduces some differences in how addresses are assigned, primarily

due to its larger address space and the desire to simplify network
management:

1. Identify IPv6 Address Range: Determine the IPv6 address range available
for use on your network. IPv6 addresses are typically assigned in a
hierarchical manner by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or network
administrators.

2. Choose an IPv6 Address: Select a specific IPv6 address from the assigned
range that is not already in use by another device on the network.

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3. Configure the Device:

● Access the network settings or configuration interface of the device.

● Set the IPv6 address manually (statically) by entering the chosen IPv6
address and prefix length (e.g., 2001:db8:abcd:5678::1/64), gateway
address, and DNS server addresses if applicable.

4. Save and Apply: Save the settings and apply them to the device.

5. Verify Connectivity: Ensure that the device can connect to the IPv6 network
and access resources.

6. Document Addresses: Keep a record of all assigned static IPv6 addresses

and which devices they belong to for future reference and troubleshooting.

Dynamic Assignment (DHCPv6 or SLAAC):

IPv6 offers two main methods for dynamic address assignment:

● DHCPv6 (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6): Similar to IPv4

DHCP, DHCPv6 allows a server to assign IPv6 addresses and other network
parameters to devices.

● SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration): Devices generate their own

IPv6 addresses using a combination of network prefixes advertised by
routers and their own unique identifiers.

1. Setup DHCPv6 Server (if used): Configure a DHCPv6 server if you choose to
use DHCPv6 for address assignment.

2. Configure DHCPv6 Settings (if used): Specify IPv6 address ranges and
other configuration options on the DHCPv6 server.

3. Enable SLAAC (if used): Ensure that SLAAC is enabled on the network
routers if you are using it for address assignment.

4. Join Devices to Network: Devices either request IPv6 addresses from the
DHCPv6 server or generate their own addresses using SLAAC.

5. Obtain IPv6 Address: Devices receive IPv6 addresses and other network
configuration parameters either from the DHCPv6 server or through SLAAC.

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6. Verify Connectivity: Ensure that devices can connect to the IPv6 network
and access IPv6-enabled resources.

Benefits of Static Assignment:

. Fixed Addresses: Devices always have the same IP address, which can be
helpful for specific network configurations or server management.

. Predictability: Static assignment ensures that devices maintain consistent

network settings, making it easier to troubleshoot and manage network
resources.

Benefits of Dynamic Assignment (DHCP):

. Automatic Configuration: DHCP simplifies network management by

automatically assigning IP addresses, reducing manual configuration
tasks.

. Reduced Errors: DHCP minimises the risk of IP address conflicts that can
occur with static assignments.

Choosing the Right Method:

For a small home network, DHCP is generally recommended for its

convenience. However, static assignments might be necessary for specific
devices like servers or printers that require a fixed IP address.

Note: You can assign both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses to a device at the same
time, if your network supports dual-stack configuration (both IPv4 and IPv6).
By assigning both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses simultaneously, your device will be
configured to communicate using both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols.

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