Why is knowing your IP address important?

Intro:

Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are assigned to each and every device that connects to the Internet. IP addresses allow computers from different networks to communicate with each other, among other things. When it comes to the Internet, IP addresses are essential, but they’re not always known by the people who use them.

Public vs. Private IP Addresses

It’s possible to have both private and public IP addresses. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has designated a reusable pool of private IP addresses for use by individual networks. Addresses starting with “10,” “172.16,” and “192.168” are among the most common. 

If you have a corporate or local area network, these IP addresses are only relevant to you. Computers must have a public IP address in order to communicate over the Internet. Unlike any other address in the world, this one is one-of-a-kind. 

If you search for your IP address in Windows settings, you may get a private address that is not accessible over the Internet. You’ll need to use a service to find out your Internet service provider’s public IP address (ISP).

IP Addresses and DNS

DNS or Domain Name Service is a service that hides most devices’ IP addresses. A URL, such as www.MyAddress.com, is translated into an IP address by the DNS. Using this service necessitates a large number of DNS servers, which keep track of which IP addresses are associated with which domain names. 

First, a DNS resolution request is made to a DNS server, which returns the IP address that your computer uses to communicate with the MyAddress.com Web server when you make a request.

Enable Remote Administration and Control

Using software like Windows Remote Desktop or DameWare Remote Control, you can control your home desktop computer from anywhere in the world. Additionally, IP-based security cameras can be viewed from any Internet connection. 

Setting up and using these devices over the Internet requires you to know both their public and private IP addresses, even if you use a hostname service like DynDNS.

Faster Connections

NetBIOS is a technology that allows Windows PCs to share files with each other. The “name” of a computer and a series of discovery packets are used in this system, which is similar to DNS in that it establishes a connection. You can start the NetBIOS discovery process by typing “[computer name]” (without the quotes) into an Internet Explorer window. 

However, this process can take a long time and, in some cases, may not work at all. NetBIOS or DNS lookups can be avoided by knowing the direct IP address and typing it as “[IP Address].” A hostname-based configuration, such as an email server, can benefit from this trick.

Facilitate Network Troubleshooting

Ping and Traceroute commands are commonly used when troubleshooting a network connection that has gone down. “ping [destination IP]” or “tracert [destination IP]” are the most common command formats (without quotes). In order to get an answer, Ping sends one packet and records whether or not it receives a response. 

When a packet is sent, Traceroute asks each router on the path to return some basic information. A problem with your Internet connection or DNS server could be to blame if you can’t access www.yahoo.com or www.google.com. You can rule out a DNS failure by pinging 98.138.253.109 and 173.194.77.106. Sending a ping request to the IP address of your DNS server can help you determine if there is a problem.

What Are the Disadvantages of Using Public IP Addresses?

In terms of IP addresses, there are two broad categories: There is a predetermined pool of IP addresses that can be reused by multiple organizations. There is an oversight authority that assigns public IP addresses that are globally unique and ensures that an address is not used multiple times. While it is common for servers to use a public IP address, which is required to access the Internet, there are some drawbacks.

Expense

One IP address for a single server simplifies server administration and configuration. There has been an increase in the price of IP addresses due to a decreasing supply of IP addresses worldwide. 

If a public IP address is absolutely necessary for your organization, you should expect to pay a hefty monthly fee to your ISP. The use of public IP addresses can be restricted by some Internet service providers.

Security

Unsolicited transmissions from outside the private network are automatically blocked by routers that connect a private network to a single public IP address. It’s possible, however, for these requests to reach the computer without restriction if the computer has a public IP. 

Spam and computer takeover attempts are two examples of this type of transmission. Utilizing an open IP address means that you must put in place some sort of security plan. An individual PC should have a virus scanner and a built-in firewall, while an organization may need a hardware firewall and intrusion-prevention sensors to secure business online.

Translation Strategy

Public IP addresses must be configured carefully unless a device is directly connected to the Internet. In order to connect multiple computers, either at home or in the office, you must use Network Address Translation. 

The process of binding requests made to your public IP address on a specific TCP/UDP port to a specific IP address on your private network is known as port forwarding, and it can get complicated under certain circumstances. These translation issues, on the other hand, don’t apply to services that operate on a private network.

Alternatives to Public IPs

The use of public IP addresses isn’t always necessary. Using a single network connection, a virtual server hosting company can provision multiple servers, saving IP addresses. Some Internet service providers (ISPs) can help you set up a point-to-point connection between two buildings. 

These connections don’t use IP addresses because they use special equipment to translate a signal over long distances. This leased link allows you to use private IP addresses on both sides.