Overview
Imagine strolling through a city without any street signs. Each building holds its mystery. Every path is unfamiliar. Similar to how your home address helps people locate your residence, your IP address serves as an identifier on the Internet guiding information to its destination.
An IP address, an abbreviation for Internet Protocol address, is a number assigned to every device connected to the network. It acts as your personal code that enables devices to interact and communicate with you online. Like a physical address ensures that mail reaches your doorstep, an IP address ensures that data finds its way to your device. Whether you’re browsing a website streaming a movie or sending an email, your IP address guarantees that information reaches its intended target.
There are primarily two categories of IP addresses; Public and Private (or Local). A Public IP address serves as your identification on the Internet. It is the address recognized by networks and servers when they interact with you. On the other hand, a Local or Private IP address is specific to your network. It facilitates communication, between your device and other devices within your home network.
Understanding your Private IP address comes in handy in various situations like troubleshooting network issues or setting up media servers to share music or files with other devices on your network. Some services like network management tools also might require you to enter your IP address.
Finding Your Private (Local) IP Address
For Windows computers there are two ways to find your Private IP address. For the first method, press the Windows key + i to open Settings. Click on “Network & Internet”. Click on “Properties.” Now, scroll down and look for “IPv4 address.” It will have the format xxx.xxx.x.xxx.
For the second method on a Windows computer, open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + “R.” Type “cmd” and press Enter. Next type “ipconfig” and press Enter. Look for the line that says “IPv4 Address.” Your IP address will be listed there.
On a Mac computer. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.” Next go to “Network Settings” and click on the “Network” icon. Select your connected network from the list on the left-hand side. The IP address will be displayed under “Status: Connected.”
Finding Your Public IP Address
To quickly find your Public IP address, click on this link: whatismyipaddress.com