An IP Address serves as a distinctive identifier assigned to a specific device, enabling communication with other devices over the internet (external networks) or within a local network (intranet). Devices encompass a wide range, including mobile phones, tablets, PCs, desktop computers, laptops, printers, and any other device supporting the Internet Protocol (IP).

IPv4 and IPv6 Formats

IP Addresses come in two formats: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4, consisting of 32 bits, represents the traditional IPs utilized since the inception of the internet, like 172.12.16.1. In contrast, IPv6, with a size of 128 bits, takes a form such as 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. IPv6 was introduced to accommodate a greater number of IPs due to the increasing demand for assigning IPs to a growing array of devices, especially in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Private vs. Public Address

Understanding the distinction between private and public IP addresses is crucial. Private IPs are not accessible from the internet and are confined to internal networks, like the IP of your desktop. Certain IP ranges are globally designated for use as private addresses (Class A, Class B, and Class C).

Public IP addresses are accessible worldwide via the internet. A prime example of a public IP address is the IP address of a website or websites.

Local IP Address

A Local IP address, whether IPv4 or IPv6, serves as the identifier assigned to your laptop, PC, mobile, and any other device within your local network. It remains invisible to the outside world but is essential for internet usage. This allocation of IP Addresses is primarily managed by a protocol known as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

How Did We Find Your Local IP Address?

There was a time when uncovering a local IP address from the internet posed challenges. Now, thanks to specific apps and protocols, locating a local IP address has become effortless, commonly with WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication).

What Is the Role of a Local IP Address?

To grasp the role of a local IP address, let's examine an example of internet browsing.

Our home router assigns a unique IP address, commonly known as a local IP address, to every connected device. When searching for a website:

• The request goes to our home router, which has its own IP Address assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• Subsequently, this request reaches the ISP Router, which has another IP that connects to the internet through a Public IP.

Upon receiving a response from the website, how does an ISP know where to return this request?

• The ISP Router returns this request to your home router, based on your Router IP.
• Then, the home router delivers the information to your device based on the local IP Address