Arveaadressid

Arveaadressid, also known as IP addresses, are unique numerical identifiers assigned to each device connected to a network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. They serve as a fundamental component of the internet's addressing system, enabling devices to locate and communicate with each other. IP addresses come in two main versions: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 addresses, which are 32-bit numbers, are typically represented in a dotted-decimal format, such as 192.168.1.1. IPv6 addresses, on the other hand, are 128-bit numbers, represented in a hexadecimal format, like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 is ongoing, driven by the exhaustion of available IPv4 addresses and the need for more efficient addressing.

IP addresses can be categorized into two types: public and private. Public IP addresses are globally unique and used to identify devices on the public internet. Private IP addresses, on the other hand, are used within local networks and are not routable on the public internet. They are typically assigned by routers using Network Address Translation (NAT) to share a single public IP address among multiple devices.

The allocation and management of IP addresses are overseen by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and regional internet registries (RIRs) like ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC. These organizations ensure the efficient and equitable distribution of IP addresses to support the growth and functionality of the internet.