Explanation: What is an IP address?

The IP address is basically like a postal address on the Internet: It's used for identification and is unique, and only through the IP address can server and client communicate without problems. Here are the most important facts at a glance!

• IPv4 - consists of four blocks of digits. Each block of digits contains numbers between 0 and 255.
• IPv6 - can contain letters as well as numbers and consists of eight blocks.
• external/public IP address - The address by which a router can be identified.
• internal/private IP address - Local address in the private network (e.g. in the WLAN at home), which cannot be seen from outside. This network-internal address is translated into a public one when surfing.
• Dynamic IP addresses - Every time the router dials in, the internet provider assigns a new IP address. But beware: there is hardly anything like a daily "forced disconnection" by the provider today. In order for a new address to actually be assigned, it is necessary to restart the router.
• Static IP addresses - addresses that remain the same over a longer period of time, often used for homepages.
• The Domain Name System (DNS) transfers the blocks of digits into "readable" internet addresses such as hoststar.at.
• The IP addresses are managed by the DHCP server of the respective network.