IP Addresses

Learning Objectives Define what an IP address is using a real-world analogy. Identify the four parts of a standard IPv4 address. Explain why each part of an IPv4 address must be a number between 0 and 255. Differentiate between a valid and an invalid IP address. Describe the role of a router in sending information to the correct IP address. Explain how an IP address helps devices on the internet find each other. How does a letter get to your house and not your friend's house? 📬 Computers need special addresses too! In this lesson, you'll discover the secret address every device on the internet has, called an IP address. We'll learn how these addresses work, why they are so important for sending and receiving information like videos and game data, and how the...

TermDefinitionExample IP AddressA unique address for a device on a network, like a house address for your computer. IP stands for Internet Protocol.192.168.1.10 or 8.8.8.8 NetworkA group of connected computers and devices that can share information.The Wi-Fi network in your house that connects your tablet, computer, and game console. RouterA device that acts like a mail carrier for a network. It reads the IP address on data and sends it in the right direction.The blinking box in your house that gives you Wi-Fi. PacketA small piece of data sent over a network. Big files are broken into many small packets to be sent.When you load a picture online, it arrives as many tiny packets that your computer puts back together. IPv4The most common type of IP address. It uses four numbers separated by...

The IPv4 Address Structure Four numbers separated by three dots. (Example: A.B.C.D) This is the pattern for all standard IPv4 addresses. Each letter (A, B, C, D) represents a number. The 0-255 Number Rule Each number in an IPv4 address must be between 0 and 255. Computers use 8 bits of binary to store each number, and the biggest number you can make with 8 bits is 255. If any number is 256 or higher, the address is invalid.