IP ADDRESS The IP address, or Internet Protocol, is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network. It is a fundamental component in communication and data transfer on the Internet. There are two main versions of IP addresses: IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). The IPv4 version uses an address format made up of four groups of numbers separated by periods, for example, 192.168.0.1. This version has a limit on available addresses, which has led to the adoption of IPv6, which uses a longer address format and allows for a greater number of available addresses. The IP address is divided into two main parts: the network part and the host part. The network part identifies the network to which the device is connected, while the host part identifies the specific device within that network. For example, in the IP address 192.168.0.1, "192.168.0" represents the network part and "1" represents the host part. IP addresses can be assigned statically or dynamically. A static IP address is one that is manually configured on the device and does not change, while a dynamic IP address is automatically assigned by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and can change each time the device connects to the network. red. The IP address has several important functions. First, it allows the identification and location of devices on a network. This is essential for data to be sent and received correctly between devices. Additionally, the IP address is also used for data routing, which means that information packets are directed to the correct IP address on the network. In short, the IP address is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network. It is essential for communication and data transfer on the Internet, and is divided into a network part and a host part. Whether static or dynamic, the IP address plays a crucial role in identifying and routing data on a network.