In order for devices like computers and servers to talk to each other, each device needs an address, more specifically, an Ip address, which is used to locate a device, and send data to it.

If you want to visit a website in your browser, you send a request to the server that stores the website using it’s Ip address, and the site then sends the website back to your computer using your computers IP address. Without it, the website wouldn’t know where to send the data to.

So every website you visit needs your IP address to deliver its sites content to you, like a mailman needs your houses address to deliver a package.

The Ip address consists of two parts, the network and the host, a.k.a. the device.

DNS
But humans are bad at memorizing long numbers. So, instead of typing in the Ip Address to access google, you type in the domain name, and your computer then asks a DNS server to look up the Ip address associated with the domain name, so that you can send a request to it.

VPN
If someone knows your Ip Address though, they can find out your actual location with the help of geolocation technology.

The good news is that you can hide your Ip Address with a VPN. This way your connection gets rerouted to a virtual server and can’t be traced back to you anymore.


SOURCE: https://www.infosecwithcybersam.com.ng/2023/04/understand-ipv4-addressing.html?m=1

Geek time!
Your IP is not represented in decimals like we see them, instead, IPs are converted to a 32 bit binary representation for the computer to understand. Your typical 192.168.10.1 will be
11000000.10101000.00001010.00000001
This format is compatible with machines.
This 32 binary representation is for ipv4 only.
Due to IP address depletion, IPv6 was created, it has a 128 bit address size represented in a hexidecimal format.

For your phone or computer to reach the internet, it should have a default gateway, a dns to resolve IP to FQDN example Nairaland.com and a NAT to translate your local IP to a public routable IP.

Source: my big head

Indeed Geek time.😁👍

Internet Protocol addresses, commonly known as IP addresses, are the foundation of modern internet connectivity. They are numerical labels assigned to devices on a computer network, facilitating data transmission and reception. These addresses come in two primary versions: IPv4 and IPv6. For a quick check of your current IP address, you can visit whatismyip to get the information you need.

IPv4, the older and more widely used version, consists of 32-bit numbers, often represented as four sets of decimal values.
The main roles of IP addresses include network interface identification and location addressing, ensuring data reaches the right destination. Understanding these fundamentals is essential in navigating the intricacies of modern networking, making it possible for devices and users to communicate effectively in the digital age.