IP Addresses, DHCP and DNS Explained
IP addresses identify devices on a network. DHCP automatically assigns network settings, while DNS converts easy-to-remember website names into numerical IP addresses.
What Is an IP Address?
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical address assigned to a device. It allows information to be delivered to the correct destination.
Example IPv4 Address
192.168.1.25IPv4 addresses contain four numbers separated by full stops. Each number can range from 0 to 255.
Example IPv6 Address
2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334IPv6 was created because the world required more addresses than IPv4 could provide.
Private and Public IP Addresses
| Type | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Private IP | Used inside a home, school or business network. | 192.168.1.25 |
| Public IP | Used to identify a network on the internet. | Assigned by an internet provider |
| Loopback | Used by a computer to communicate with itself. | 127.0.0.1 |
How DHCP Works
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It automatically gives a device an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS server.
- A device broadcasts a DHCP Discover message.
- The DHCP server offers an available IP address.
- The device requests the offered address.
- The server confirms the lease.
Key idea: Without DHCP, every computer would need to be configured manually. DHCP makes network setup faster and reduces configuration errors.
How DNS Works
DNS stands for Domain Name System. People use names such as example.com, but computers communicate using IP addresses. DNS performs the translation between the two.
Website requested:
example.com
DNS response:
example.com → 93.184.216.34Useful Troubleshooting Commands
ipconfig
ipconfig /all
nslookup example.com
ping 192.168.1.1Summary
IP addresses identify devices, DHCP provides network configuration and DNS translates domain names into addresses. These three concepts are essential for understanding how computers access network services.
