IP address

Chapter 5:Internet and its uses

What is an IP address?

IP address stands for internet protocol

address; it is an identifying number that is
associated with a specific computer or
computer network. When connected to the
internet, the IP address allows the computers
to send and receive information.
How IP Address generated?

● IP addresses are generated automatically using an integrated

algorithm by the Internet of Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA)
● IANA then allocates IP address blocks to regional internet
registries (RIRs) who in turn geographically distribute these
blocks to internet service providers (ISPs).
● ISPs typically use a technique called Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP allows devices to have
an IP address assigned automatically when they connect to a
network.
At a more technical level, IP addresses are
generated using two main versions of Internet
Protocol (IP): IPv4 and IPv6.
IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers, represented
in a dotted-decimal format (e.g., 192.168.0.1)
IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers,
represented in a hexadecimal format (e.9.,
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
IP v6 VS. IP v4

IPv6 was developed to overcome the

limitations of IPv4, providing a more
scalable, efficient, and secure protocol to
meet the demands of the modern
internet.
IPv4 uses a 32-bit addressing scheme, allowing for approximately
4.3 billion unique addresses. As the number of internet-connected
devices (such as computers, smartphones, IoT devices, etc.)
rapidly increased, the available IPv4 addresses began to run out.
IPv6 Solution: IPv6 uses a 128-bit addressing scheme, which
provides an almost limitless number of unique IP addresses
(approximately 340 undecillion addresses), ensuring that there
are enough addresses for the foreseeable future.
Benefits of IP v6

❖ Improved Routing Efficiency

❖ Enhanced Security Feature
❖ Better support for Mobile devices
❖ Improved Quality of Service
Types of IP Addresses

There are four different types of IP addresses:

public, private, static, and dynamic.
While the public and private are indicative of the
location of the network—private being used inside
a network while the public is used outside of a
network—static and dynamic indicate permanency.
Static IP vs Dynamic IP
● A static IP address is one that was manually created,
as opposed to having been assigned.
● A static address also does not change, whereas a
dynamic IP address has been assigned by a (DHCP)
server and is subject to change.
● Dynamic IP addresses are the most common type of
internet protocol addresses. Dynamic IP addresses are
only active for a certain amount of time, after which
they expire.
● The computer will either automatically request a new
lease, or the computer may receive a new IP address.
Static IP address
●
Static IP address is a fixed address assigned to a device that
remains constant.
● They are typically used for hosting websites or running
servers.
● By having a fixed IP address, users can easily connect
domain names to their servers, ensuring that their websites
or services are always accessible.
● Static addresses are manually configured either on the
device itself or by the network administrator. Static IP
addresses are typically provided by the user’s ISP or network
administrator, and typically come at an additional cost
Benefits of Static IP address
● Fixed Address: A static IP address remains constant, making it easier to manage
devices that require consistent network access.
● Ease of Access: Ideal for services like web servers, email servers, and FTP servers
that need a constant IP address for easy access.
● Remote Management: Static IPs are beneficial for remote access and
management of devices, such as cameras, servers, and other network
resources.Domain Linking: Static IPs work well with Domain Name System (DNS)
services, allowing for a reliable connection between the domain name and the IP
address.
● No IP Conflicts: Since the IP is fixed, there's no risk of IP address conflicts, which
can happen when dynamic IP addresses are used.
● Controlled Access: Static IPs can be used to restrict access to a network or
specific devices by configuring firewall rules to only allow traffic from known IPs.
Dynamic IP address
● A dynamic IP address refers to an address assigned to
a device temporarily by an ISP.
● Dynamic IP addresses are typically assigned to devices
such as computers, smartphones, or routers.
● They provide a level of anonymity and security as
the IP address changes periodically, making it more
difficult to track a specific device or user.
● When a device connects to the ISP's network, it is
assigned an available IP address from a pool. This
address is then borrowed for a specific duration before
being returned to the pool and assigned to another
device.
Drawbacks of Static IP address
● Higher Expense: Many ISPs charge more for static IP addresses compared to
dynamic ones. The cost can add up, especially for small businesses or home
users.
● Complex Setup: Configuring static IP addresses requires manual setup and
management, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
● Predictability: Since the IP address is always the same, it can be more vulnerable
to targeted attacks, such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
● Scarcity: IPv4 addresses are limited, so obtaining a static IP address might be
difficult or expensive, especially in regions with a shortage of available IPs.
● Network Changes: If you change your network provider or location, you'll likely
need a new static IP address, which can disrupt services and require
reconfiguration.
Public vs Private IP address
Public vs Private IP Address
Typically, devices use private IP addresses within a
network and a public IP addresses outside a
network.
For example, each device within the same network
is assigned a unique private IP address, whereas a
public IP can be accessed directly over the internet
and is assigned to your network router by your ISP.
Why Both Are Needed:
Conservation of IP Addresses: With the limited number of IPv4
addresses available, using private IP addresses within local networks
conserves public IP addresses.
Security: Private IP addresses add a layer of security because devices
with private IPs cannot be accessed directly from the internet. Instead,
a router with a public IP address typically acts as a gateway, managing
the traffic between the local network and the internet.
Network Organization: By using private IP addresses, organizations
can structure their internal networks more efficiently and manage
devices without depending on the public IP address pool.
DYNAMIC STATIC
More secure,offers anonymity Commercial websites uses
static IP for seamless
connection
ISPs prefer to use dynamic IP static IP addresses often offer
addresses, because they’re better connections and higher
cheaper speeds, they usually cost
more to set up

Normal devices and routers Static IP addresses are used

used at home for important devices with
access to sensitive systems
Helping to manage the fixed
(like Netflix servers). Ensuring
number of unique IPs reliability for outside devices
and networks
MAC address

MAC (Media Access Control) addresses are

unique identifiers assigned to network
interfaces
Types of MAC addresses
Universally Administered MAC Address (UAA)
A Universally Administered MAC address is assigned by the
manufacturer of the network interface card (NIC) and is globally
unique.
The first half of a UAA MAC address contains the OUI
(Organizationally Unique Identifier), which identifies the
manufacturer or vendor of the NIC.
The second half of the MAC address is assigned by the
manufacturer and is intended to be unique for each NIC they
produce.
Locally Administered MAC Address (LAA):
A Locally Administered MAC address is one that is manually
assigned by a network administrator rather than being assigned
by the manufacturer.
The second least significant bit of the first byte of the MAC
address determines whether it's a UAA or LAA. If this bit is set
to 0, it's a UAA; if set to 1, it's an LAA.
Locally Administered MAC addresses are not guaranteed to be
globally unique because they are assigned by the administrator,
so care must be taken to avoid conflicts within the local
network.
Routers

Routers enable data packets to be routed between different networks, for

example, to join a LAN to a WAN. The router takes data transmitted in one
format

from a network (which is using a particular protocol) and converts the

data to a

protocol and format understood by another network, thereby allowing

them to

communicate.
Function of a Router
1)Packet Forwarding: Routers determine the best path for
data packets to travel from the source to the destination.
Process: When a data packet arrives at a router, the
router examines the destination IP address and uses its
routing table to decide where to send the packet next.

2)The router translates private IP addresses used within

a local network to a public IP address before sending the
data to the internet, and vice versa for incoming data.
3)Routers manage the flow of data between networks to ensure efficient use
of available bandwidth.

4)Routers enable communication between different types of networks, such

as LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks).

5)Routers provide security features to protect the network from

unauthorized access and attacks.

Process: They use firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and Virtual
Private Network (VPN) support to secure data transmissions and network
integrity.