What is the main function of an IP address?

The main functions of the IP address: 1. Use the IP address to identify the host on the Internet; the IP protocol can forward the IP datagram based on the routing information provided by the routing protocol until it reaches the destination host. 2. Matching of IP address and MAC address; the data link layer uses MAC address to send data frames, so when actually sending IP packets, matching of IP address and MAC address is also required. 3. Distinguish different hosts; it is a special address assigned to distinguish hundreds of millions of hosts. 4. Positioning; the positioning principle depends on its distribution principle.

#The operating environment of this article: Windows 7 system, Dell G3 computer.

IP address (Internet Protocol Address) refers to the Internet Protocol address, also translated as Internet Protocol address.

The IP address is a unified address format provided by the IP protocol. It assigns a logical address to each network and each host on the Internet to shield the differences in physical addresses.

The main functions of the IP address:

1. Use the IP address to identify the host on the Internet

In every IP datagram, it will be carried The source IP address and destination IP address identify the source and destination hosts of the IP datagram. During the transmission process of IP datagrams, each intermediate node (IP gateway) also needs to select an appropriate forwarding path (i.e., routing) from the source host to the destination host. The IP protocol can forward the IP datagram according to the routing information provided by the routing protocol until it reaches the destination host.

2. Matching of IP address and MAC address, ARP protocol.

The data link layer uses MAC addresses to send data frames. Therefore, when actually sending IP messages, it is necessary to match the IP address and MAC address. The ARP (Address Resolution) in the TCP/IP protocol suite agreement) is completed.

3. A special address assigned to distinguish hundreds of millions of hosts, so its main function is to distinguish different hosts.

4. IP address literally has the function of positioning. Its positioning principle depends on its distribution principle. IP address query is based on this.

Extended information: IP address type

1. Public address

Public address consists of Inter NIC (Internet Network Information Center) is responsible. These IP addresses are assigned to organizations that register and apply to Inter NIC. Direct access to the Internet through it.

2. Private address

Private address (Private address) is a non-registered address and is exclusively for internal use of the organization. Including: Class A 10.0.0.0--10.255.255.255, Class B 172.16.0.0--172.31.255.255, Class C 192.168.0.0--192.168.255.255.

If you want to know more about programming learning, please pay attention to thephp trainingcolumn!

The above is the detailed content of What is the main function of an IP address?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!