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3 Things To Know About IPV4 Addresses

The internet that we see, use, and surf every day only scratches the surface of what is actually going on. Everything you see and do, including vast amounts of search engine queries, uploading pictures to share with your friends on social media and video chatting for work only make up a paltry 4% of the actual web. If you really want to understand how the pieces all come together, get to know internet protocol (IP) addresses. 

What an IPV4 address is and the purpose it serves

IP addresses are similar to the physical addresses that we all use for home and work. It is an identifier so that others have navigational reference points when sending information back and forth. These addresses have been used since the 80's as markers for computers and other internet-enabled devices that access the internet. These days, you probably want to buy ipv4 address for all your internet activity. The Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPV4) was the original form of IP addresses. Since the internet has grown and a lot of these addresses have been taken, IPV6 and other versions have been introduced. But IPV4 is still the most common version and is considered the bedrock of the internet. 

How you can identify an IPV4 address

There are some markers you can pinpoint that show you exactly what IPV4 addresses are. When you see an IPV4 address it is broken into two numbers. These numbers are the network part and the host part. The network is like the street name, and remains the same for every individual host that accesses it. The host is like an address number for each house on the block. To identify these parts of the IPV4, just remember that the network number comes first and the host part comes next. They each consist of two different sets of numbers that are separated by periods. 

How to use an IPV4 address

IPV4 addresses are configured through the use of routers. You will need to know the network and host parts to set up a cohesive network that you can communicate between. This is when you will set up a routing protocol and hashtags for file folders and other subsets. When purchasing a new IPV4 address you must first get RIR approval and agree to terms. Buying an IPV4 secures your network, but also lets you sit on a hot investment since these addresses are becoming scarcer. 

This intro into IPV4 addresses helps to expand your internet knowledge so you can learn a bit more about how you browse.


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