This key facts covers IP Addresses (Internet Protocol) within IP & MAC Addresses for GCSE Computer Science. Revise IP & MAC Addresses in Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 2 of 8 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 2 of 8
Practice
15 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
IP Addresses (Internet Protocol)
What is an IP Address?
A logical address assigned to devices on a network. Used to identify the device's location for routing data across networks.
- Purpose: Identify device location on network for routing
- Can change: Assigned by network (DHCP) or configured manually
- Two versions: IPv4 (32-bit) and IPv6 (128-bit)
- Operates at: Internet layer (Layer 2 of TCP/IP)
- Analogy: Like a postal address - identifies WHERE device is
IPv4 Format:
- 32 bits = 4 bytes (octets)
- Dotted decimal notation: 192.168.1.1
- Four numbers separated by dots, each 0-255
- Example: 192.168.1.100, 10.0.0.5, 172.16.0.1
- Total addresses: ~4.3 billion (2^32)
- Problem: Running out due to billions of devices!
IPv6 Format:
- 128 bits = 16 bytes
- Hexadecimal notation: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
- Eight groups of 4 hex digits separated by colons
- Example: 2001:0db8::1 (shortened form)
- Total addresses: 340 undecillion (virtually unlimited)
- Why needed: IPv4 addresses exhausted, IPv6 ensures we never run out
Special IP Address Ranges:
- 127.0.0.1: Localhost (loopback) - refers to your own computer
- 192.168.x.x: Private network (home/office LANs)
- 10.x.x.x: Private network (large organizations)
- 0.0.0.0: Default route / unspecified address