How do i find my ip address on my computer?

How do I find my IP address on my computer covering the easy way to find your IP address on the Windows and Mac operating systems. But not only that, please keep on reading to get more information.

Introduction:

This article deals with the procedure to find an IP address on a computer. IP is the full form for “Internet Protocol.” This is a set of rules that decide what kind of data can be transferred on the internet.

An IP address can be defined as a unique address that helps identify a device on the internet. IP addresses help the Internet in distinguishing amongst different websites and devices. The IANA (“Internet Assigned Numbers Authority”) assigns IP addresses to each device. The IP address can be changed easily. If one uses a different network, the ISP changes, and hence, the IP address varies. IP addresses can be of different types. There are the private IP address and public IP addresses, static and dynamic IP addresses. Website IP addresses can be distinguished between two types again, and they are: shared IP addresses and dedicated IP addresses.

The way an IP address works can be explained as follows. A device first gets connected to a network which allows the user to gain access to the Internet. If one uses a home network, it would become the ISP, and if one is at the office, then the ISP would be the office network. The ISP (Internet Service Provider) allows the device with an IP address, this is because it is the ISP that allows the user to access the internet.

IP addresses have helped track down many groups and individuals involved in various types of illegal activities. Arrest warrants have also been issued based on such IP addresses. In the year 2012, members of the hacking group “Lulzsec” were arrested by the cops.

Why do we need an IP address?

As already mentioned above, IP addresses can track the geographical location of a device. Hence, they had helped track down various hacking groups and organizations involved in illegal transactions and activities.

In the absence of an IP address, the Internet would not distinguish and recognize amongst different devices. Hence, data or information cannot be sent from one device to another. If this happens, then it would become impossible to browse the internet, play games or listen to music on the internet, send e-mails, and even video calling would not be possible. IP addresses also help in identifying network interfaces. Thus, IP addresses are important for the overall functioning of the internet since we are connected to the internet indirectly through other networks.

Types of IP addresses based on operational features:

IP addresses can be distinguished into four other types apart based on their operational aspects, apart from the types that have been already mentioned in the article before.

The first type is unicast broadcasting. It is one of the most regular forms of IP address. Unicast broadcasting is available in both IPv4 and IPv6. Unicast broadcasting involves only one sender/ receiver. Thus, both receiving and sending can happen here. Some devices can have more than one unicast broadcasting addresses, where each address is used for a different purpose.

The second one is the broadcast addressing. This type of addressing is available only in IPv4. Sending can be done just once. All the receivers receive a copy of the data. The IP address 255.255.255.255 is used for local broadcast. It also happens in IPv4 only. This addressing is not available in the case of IPv6.

Multicast Addressing is the third variety, and it constitutes a cluster of concerned receivers. It is present in both IPv4 and IPv6. It is said that “in IPv4, addresses 224.0.0.0 through 239.255.255.255 (the former Class D addresses) are designated as multicast addresses.” Address block along with the prefix ff00::/8 is used for multicast addressing in case of IPv6”.

Last but not least comes to the anycast addressing. It is similar to multicast and broadcast addressing since it also uses the “one-to-many” routing technique. It is available exclusively in IPv6. Global load balancing is a function of anycast addressing that it performs very efficiently.

These are the four divisions made based on the functioning and operation of IP addresses.

How to find an IP address on a computer?

There are different ways to find the IP address on different operating systems. The article will discuss how to find the IP address on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Mac.

Windows 10: Put your cursor on the screen and right-click on the Windows logo > Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet > Network. At this stage, the IP address appears.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1: Network Connection > Network and Sharing System > Wireless Network connection/ Local Area Connection in case of a wired network (double click) > Details. The IP address appears then.

Windows 7: Network Connection icon > Open Network and Sharing Centre > Wireless Network Connection/ Local Area Connection in case of a wired network (double click) > Details. The IP address appears then.

Windows Vista: Windows Start menu > Network (right click) > Properties > View Status > Details. At this stage the IP address appears.

Windows XP: Windows Start Menu > My Network Places (right-click) > Properties > Wireless Network Connection/ Local Area Connection in case of a wired network (double click) > Support Tab > Details. The IP address will appear here.

Mac: System Preferences > View Menu > Network > Network Connection (Ethernet/ Wi-Fi). One can find the local IP address.

These are the various ways to gain access to the IP address on their computers having respective operating systems.

Conclusion:

The whole article deals with finding the IP address on your device, especially a computer with different versions. It is an easy task to do. Various methods have been mentioned in the article. Each operating system has its own technique to find the IP address. If the user faces issues while trying to look for the IP address, a tech expert or professional should be consulted. Once you have figured out the IP address, it can also be changed, and you can get a new one. There are various methods to do the same, like resetting the modem or router or changing it manually following certain steps. Changing the IP address is fine and an easy task unless one starts misusing it for illegal activities. In this article, it can also be concluded that IP addresses are extremely useful, and without them, the whole Internet would be useless.