IP address, LAN, WAN, DNS, computer setup

Who Will Assign IP Addresses?

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is the unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. A computer, a router, a printer, an air conditioner, and other devices may all have a unique IP address assigned to them when they connect to the internet. But who is responsible for assigning IP addresses?

The answer depends on the type of connection made. For home broadband or mobile internet connections, the network provider or internet service provider (ISP) usually assigns the IP address. When connecting to a large corporate or institutionaal network, such as in a university or business, the organization's IT department may be responsible for assigning IP addresses.

If the device is part of a local network, then the network administrator is responsible for assigning IP addresses. In most cases, this is done with the help of a DHCP server. This is a dedicated computer, known as a "server," which runs software specifically designed for managing IP address assignments.

The DHCP server provides each device on the network with its own unique IP address. It also manages the IP address assignments so that when a device disconnects from the network, its IP address can be reassigned to a new device. This helps to ensure that no two devices on the same network have the same IP address.

In a larger network, such as the internet, IP addresses are managed and assigned by an organization known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). This is a global organization that is responsible for maintaining the central database of IP addresses. All IP address requests and assignments must go through IANA before they can become available on the internet.