What is an IP address and why your device needs one?

An IP address is a numerical label for your device on a network. Like a postal address for computers. Your home network has one public IP (assigned by your internet provider), and each device has a private IP (assigned by your router).

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique number that identifies a device on a network. Your router assigns each device a private IP address (like 192.168.1.5). Your internet provider assigns your router a public IP address (like 203.15.42.88), which is visible to the internet. Think of the public IP as your building's street address, and the private IPs as apartment numbers inside.