Understanding IP Addresses and the Difference Between Public and Private

IP Address

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numeric identifier assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Each device connected to the Internet, including servers, routers, and individual computers, has an IP address associated with it. An IP address is a logical address used by networking hardware that is connected to a network segment.

Public IP Address

A public IP address is a globally unique address that is assigned to a specific device on a network. The public IP address allows a device to communicate with devices outside of its local network. It is typically used to access the Internet. Some ISPs assign dynamic public IP addresses, while others assign static public IP addresses.

Private IP Address

A private IP address is a unique address that is assigned to a device on a private network, such as a home or office network. Private IP addresses are not directly accessible from the Internet and are used to conserve IP addresses. Private IP addresses are usually assigned in the LAN (Local Area Network) settings of a router or by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).