Exploring Different IP Address Types and Their Differences!

If you're interested in internet knowledge, you may already be aware of the importance of IP addresses in network communication. However, you might frequently come across terms like public IP, private IP, static IP, dedicated IP, and so on. What exactly do these different types of IP addresses mean? What are their differences? Indeed, the variety of IP address types can be confusing. This article aims to explain the different classifications of IP addresses one by one.

IP addresses can be classified based on their usage scope in a network into the following categories.

Public IP Addresses: A public IP address, also known as an external network IP address, is the unique identifier of a computer or network device on the Internet. It is assigned to an organization or individual by an Internet service provider (ISP) so that its device can directly communicate with internet communication. Public IP addresses can be accessed and used by the public.

Private IP Addresses: Private IP address, also known as intranet IP address, refers to the IP address used in a private network (such as a home network or a company network), which is not directly connected to the Internet. Instead, packets are forwarded through network devices like routers and switches. Private IP addresses are not unique and can be reused in different networks since they are only used within the private network and do not appear directly on the internet.

Reserved IP Addresses: Reserved IP addresses are used for special purposes such as private IP address space or specific internal LANs (Local Area Networks). Networks using reserved addresses can only communicate internally and cannot be connected to other networks.

IP addresses can be classified into dedicated IP addresses and shared IP addresses based on their usage and characteristics in a network.

Dedicated IP Addresses: Dedicated IP addresses are exclusively assigned to a specific computer or device and are typically used in situations where independent identification and direct access are required. They are commonly used for dedicated servers, virtual private networks (VPNs), and other similar scenarios. The use of dedicated IP addresses can enhance the security and performance of a website.

Shared IP Addresses: Shared IP addresses can be simultaneously used by multiple devices or users. They are often employed in hosting services such as cloud servers, virtual servers, etc. Multiple clients can share a single public IP address, which helps to conserve network bandwidth and improve availability. For example, when setting up a website, a shared static IP address can be used.

IP addresses can be classified into static IP addresses and dynamic IP addresses based on the allocation method.

Static IP addresses: A static IP address is a fixed IP address typically assigned by an ISP or manually set by a network administrator. Static IP addresses are commonly used for devices or services that require a fixed IP address, such as servers, network printers, and other devices.

Dynamic IP addresses: A dynamic IP address is an address that can change over time. It is automatically assigned to devices through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Each time a device connects to the network, it is assigned a new IP address. Dynamic IP addresses offer more flexibility and improve the utilization of IP address resources. They are commonly used for devices used by regular users, such as personal computers and smartphones.

In addition to the commonly mentioned types of IP addresses above, you may also come across the following special IP addresses in some cases.

Loopback Address: The loopback address is a special reserved IP address primarily used for self-testing and providing listening services on a device. When a device sends data to the loopback address, the data is directly sent back to the device itself without being transmitted over the network. Thes range of loopback addres is 127.0.0.0–127.255.255.255.

Zero Address: The zero address, represented as 0.0.0.0, is a special IP address used to indicate an invalid, unknown, or unavailable destination. In routing tables, 0.0.0.0 often represents the default route or default gateway. In some network protocols (e.g., DHCP), 0.0.0.0 is used to represent an undetermined destination address.

Broadcast Address: The broadcast address refers to a special IP address used to send packets to all hosts on a network. For example, in IPv4 networks, the broadcast address is typically an IP address that ends with 255, such as 192.168.0.255. The broadcast address is only valid within a specific network range and cannot be used to broadcast across different networks.

Multicast Address: A multicast address is a special IP address used to send packets to a group of hosts instead of sending to the entire network or a single host. For example, in IPv4 networks, multicast addresses are typically IP addresses starting with a number between 224 and 239, such as 224.0.0.1. Multicast addresses are used for various applications such as audio/video streaming, multicast routing protocols, online gaming, and real-time communications.