Columnists

Geek Speak… What Are Digital Addresses?

Issue 32 & 33.14

Most people have heard the term IP address, but many do not know what that means or why it is important. The internet now has to deal with billions of computers and network connected devices and that number is multiplying rapidly. Additionally, every network has at least two connected devices. Each item needs a specific address so that every other item that has contact with it knows how to find it. For example, at my house we have a number of computers in use as well as a smart tv, internet gaming system, smart phones and tablets. All of these connect to the internet. Many new refrigerators, stoves, dvr or blue ray players, lighting and security systems and other appliances also connect through network or internet.

Within your home, you have a discreet (or separate) network. This is called a LAN or Local Area Network. Each item that connects is assigned an IP (Internet Protocol) address either automatically by the router or manually (static). Automatic addresses can change each time the router or device is restarted. Static addresses stay the same until manually changed by entering the control panel for that device. Most home networks use IP4 addresses that start with 192.168. and end with two other numbers between 0 and 255. The third number of each address must be the same for all items that “talk” to each other and the fourth number must be different so they can be unique in the system. The router usually takes the first number or two and then assigns other numbers to everything that connects. For example, the router may use 192.168.0.1 and then assign the first computer that connects 192.168.0.50, then .51, then .52 etc.

What most people don’t know is that your router has a unique address that connects it to the WAN or Wide Area Network. You can find this address by going to google search and typing “what is my IP”. This is the address that tells everyone else how to connect to your router. The problem is that there are so many networks that we have run out of addresses. The solution is the new IP6 protocols. They have significantly more numbers in them and have expanded the worldwide net to many times the previous size. An IP6 address would look more like 2001.db8.0.1234.0.567.8.1 (source – Wikipedia).

This is one of the more technical articles I have written, but because of the current change to IP6 and more technical people needing to know how your system and home network are set up, I thought it would be worthwhile to share these basic concepts of networking. Remember that, whenever you change routers, you may need to change the addresses your networked computers, printers, tablets, etc. use to talk with the internet and each other – and always back up anything on your computer that is important to you.

Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 25 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.

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