An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identifier
assigned to any network device (e.g. computer, router) that
communicates using IP. IP addresses follow standards as set out
by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). As of this
writing, the two standards in common use are IP version 4 (IPv4)
and IP version 6 (IPv6). IP Version 4 (IPv4) IPv4 specifies an
IP address as a 32-bit number, displayed most commonly in dotted
decimal format (e.g. 18.104.22.168) for easier human
readability. The dotted decimal format is also known as a quad
octet, as it represents four (quad) groups of eight bits
(octet). An IP address, displayed as 32-bit number:
10101010101010101010101010101010 Same IP address, displayed in
dotted decimal format: 22.214.171.124 Reserved IP Addresses Some
IP addresses are reserved to serve a special purpose and should
not be assigned to any network device. These IP addresses are:
0.0.0.0 - Default gateway 255.255.255.255 - Broadcast 127.0.0.1
- Local host / loopback IP Version 6 (IPv6) I