2. IP Addressing

IP is short for Internet Protocol.

A 'protocol' is a set of rules for doing something. In this case it is the task of being able to uniquely identify every computer connected to an IP based network.

The way this is done is to assign a long number to each computer made up of 4 bytes. This normally takes the form of four, three digit numbers separated by a dot. Like this

255.168.101.004

Of course behind the scene this is actually a 32 bit binary number (4 bytes).

Each number group in the address sub-divides the network to which the computer is connected with the final number (004 above) being the actual computer.

The Internet is a vast collection of smaller networks each connected to one another through routers.

Interesting fact: The internet is running out of addresses. The current scheme was designed to handle up to 4 billion addresses and everyone thought this would be enough. But with mobiles, gaming machines and even fridges getting connected to the internet this will soon become a problem.

A new protocol called IPv6 has been developed, this uses 128 bits for each address rather than 32. This offers a range of 3 followed by 38 zeros unique addresses. Enough to address every grain of sand on Earth - it should be enough!