Internet Protocol or IP addresses are the medium through which large number of computers over the network communicates with each other. They can also know about their locations in the Web world in relation with each other. It is nothing but a mailing address for computers over the Internet. An IP address facilitates the arrival of your e-mail at the right location. The customers are also able to view their desired Web site through this address.

Each IP address is a set of four digits and each digit is separated by a period (.). The digit is generally from 0 to 255. A typical address will look like this:

63.143.54.0

If a computer is not connected to the Internet, then you can assign any IP address of your choice. But this address must be unique on your network. When the computer is connected to the Internet, then a registered IP address must be provided for that computer. This is also known as Internet address.

Majority of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide dynamic IPs to their subscribers for connecting to their network. In other words, each time you connect to your ISP, you will be assigned a new and different IP address.

For nearly every web server, the IP address is unnoticeably translated into natural English “domain name” for ease of use. But technically speaking, the IP address is the true identifier of a web server. The domain name is merely a redirector pointer to help people find the web server.

Most ISPs grant what are called dynamic IPs to customers connecting to their network. This means that each time you connect to your ISP you’re given a different IP address. It is very hard if not impossible to host a Web page domain on a dynamic IP connection. As every time you connect your server to the Internet the IP address may alter. While it is possible to set up a Web server using a dynamic IP ISP, most service providers glare on this. There is more often than not a clause stating that you cannot use servers on the account.

When you build a Web page, the server hosting it has to have what is called a static IP. This is an IP address that doesn’t change when you login. Thus, if you’re going to host your Web server yourself, you need to get an account with a static IP. Generally these are considered business accounts and usually charge a little more than a dynamic IP account or they are slower than a likewise priced dynamic IP account.

The IP address is what your domain name is attached to. While one IP address can host several domains using DNS aliasing, each domain needs a specific IP address in order to function. When you buy a domain name, you will be asked for the nameservice that will define the IP. However, if you don’t have an IP address attached to a computer, most domain name registrars will host your DNS for you for a value. You can then redirect that domain to your Web site hosted on an ISP or free hosting server or wherever.

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