Week 3

IP ADDRESSES

IP "Internet protocol " address, is a numeric address that is translated into a domain name by a DNS. Each server is connected to the Internet is assigned a unique IP address, which is a set of 4 numbers between 0-255 separated by periods that specifies a location fro the TCP/IP protocol.
IP addresses for devices connected to the Internet are due to run shortly because of the current IPv4 which has been used for the past 20 years is facing a number of limitations that have risen due to recent massive growth and the development of new applications of the web. IPv4 uses 32 bit addressing scheme thus provide no fewer than 4.2 billion unique IP addresses which is not enough for the enormous demand.
To solve this massive time-bomb,IPv6 was created which extends the addressable space from 32bits to 128 bits addresses space and should deliver no fewer than 340 trillion*3 possible addresses,thus it will provide greater reliability and security allowing you to access specific devices.

Reference:

Patrizio, Andy.(May 11 2006).We're Running out of IP Addresses. [Online] .Internet News. Available from: http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3605501 [Accessed 12/10/07].