The internet is part of our daily life, but we often use concepts we are not completely savvy with. One of these is the IP address, a key element for domains to work properly. In this article we explain what an IP is, how it is connected to domain names and what the differences are between an IP for a domain and one for a device.
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a numerical tag that uniquely identifies a device or a service within the IT network. IP stands for Internet Protocol and identifies a device with a network to indicate its location so that information reaches the correct place.
Devices and servers communicate with each other using these addresses. The problem is that an IP is a sequence of numbers which is difficult to remember, for example: 79.153.31.135
This is why domain names were created, allowing people to navigate the internet with understandable names instead of numbers. As we explained in this article about DNS, servers for domain names act as “translators” between the domain name and its IP address.
The IP is not always the same
In many cases, the IP address is dynamic: the internet provider assigns you one when you connect and it can change the next time around. This means the IP does not identify the physical device, but the point of connection to the network during a specific session. Fixed IP addresses also exist but are not essential for habitual uses.
The domain of an IP and the IP of a device are not the same
While technically they are both IP addresses, their function is different.
A domain does not have its own IP but uses DNS to note one or more IP addresses that correspond to the servers where a service is hosted (a website, email address etc.).
For example: domini.barcelona a 63.32.184.65
Here, domini.barcelona is the easy name to remember 63.32.184.65 is the address of the server handling requests. A domain can note various IP addresses, and these can change without the domain name changing.
In contrast, the IP of a device identifies a specific machine within a network, such as a computer, a mobile or a router. This IP can be private (within the home or the office) or public (visible on the internet) and is often dynamic.
The key difference
· The IP of a domain identifies a service.
· The IP of a device identifies a physical service.
When you write a name in a browser, DNS translates it to an IP. Your device, with its own IP, contacts the servers, and this responds by showing content.
Why is it useful to understand this?
You don’t need to be a technical expert to manage a domain, but understanding basic concepts such as IP addresses helps towards a better grasp of how the internet works, knowing what happens when you change the host server and taking more informed decisions about your digital presence.
Domains, DNS and IP addresses form part of the invisible infrastructure that makes it possible to have your project accessible on the internet, every day.
