December 25, 2020
Understanding the Differences between TCP/IP and OSI Models
TCP and IP are the two main network protocols or communications standards of the internet. Where TCP defines how different applications can communicate over reliable channels across a network, IP regulates how devices connected to the internet can transmit and receive data over the network or an interconnected set of networks. In other words, IP defines routing and addressing while TCP defines how the connected peripherals can communicate across the IP-mediated link without any data loss. The OSI or Open Systems Interconnection model, on the contrary, defines how the different tasks related to the network communication can be segregated across multiple layers of software and hardware components. It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as the ISO/IEC[…]
October 9, 2020
Everything You Need to Know about CIDR
CIDR or Classless Inter-Domain Routing stands for an IP addressing method that is designed to improve the efficiency of IP address allocation. CIDR replaces the previous system of distributing IP addresses based on Class A, Class B, and Class C networks. The new method is also seen to benefit IPv4 addresses and extend their life cycles while slowing the development of routing tables. Also known as supernetting, the main goal of CIDR was to decelerate the rapid exhaustion of IPv4 addresses across the internet. This eventually led to freeing up a lot of unused and available IP addresses. At the same time, it also helped to deal with many of the inefficiencies of the old method of IP addressing that[…]
September 11, 2020
What is IP Addressing and How Does it Work?
IP addressing refers to assigning a 32-bit binary numerical label to all the devices connected to a network that communicates to the internet. The 32-bit IPv4 address is subdivided into 4 x 8-bit segments, which are known as octets. As only a few users work with 32-bit IPv4 addresses, the IP address is generally expressed in the dotted-decimal format. Here, each octet is assigned to an equivalent decimal number and the four decimal values are separated using periods. Typically, the eight binary bits can represent any number from 0 to 255. This means that each of the parts of the dotted-decimal in an IPv4 address can be any decimal from 0 to 255. Although IP addresses are broken into four[…]
August 10, 2020
Everything you Need to Know about Shared IPv4 Addresses
A shared IPv4 address refers to an IP address that is used for multiple websites. Such types of IP addresses are generally used by shared hosting providers or for managed server hosting that uses a cloud-based platform. Choosing a shared IP address instead of a dedicated IP address also helps to cut the costs of server hosting, although there may be some risks associated with it. Shared IPv4 addresses and shared hosting normally go together. However, having a shared IP address does not necessarily mean that it is shared hosting. Regardless, as the IP address is used by multiple websites in shared hosting, the actions of one website may affect the reputation of the other sites on the server as[…]
August 8, 2020
What is a Private IP Address? – Infographic
As the name implies, a private internet protocol address identifies devices on a private or closed network. The word private refers to the fact that only those devices on the network can use this IP address to communicate with each other. A classic example of it is the IP address of your residential wireless connection. An address can either be static or dynamic. A state IP address is like your telephone number in that it stays the same unless you decide to change it. Conversely, a dynamic IP address changes occasionally, and it is most often utilized on business premises or in residences. Like any other form of IP address, the private one also has its own pros and cons.[…]
July 24, 2020
Why IP Address Management is Necessary
IP address management or IPAM refers to the organization of DHCP and DNS services that assign IPv4 addresses to different devices in a network. In other words, IPAM involves planning, tracking, and managing IPv4 addresses, which is usually done by DNS and DHCP services. However, with a robust IPAM software application, these network services can perform better and work in tandem to resolve common IP conflict issues. Using spreadsheets was the traditional way of managing IP addresses and tracking responsibilities in a network. This can be very taxing in the cases where the size of the IPv4 address pool is huge. Besides, maintaining data in spreadsheets can also be quite time-consuming and prone to human error. This can lead to[…]
June 21, 2020
Why are IPv4 Addresses Divided into Four Sections?
All IPv4 addresses are shown in four sections separated by dots. Below is a quick look at what these sections represent and why all IP addresses have this in common. Computers translate everything into their own language to understand what is being communicated to them. These are a combination of zeroes and ones, which is collectively known as a binary system. So every decimal number is broken into a binary number by the computer to read it. For instance, the number 255 is 11111111 in binary form. Every binary number has eight numbers, which are called “bits” in the binary system. All IPv4 addresses are made up of 32 bits. So an IP address that shows up as 76.240.249.145 on[…]
May 23, 2020
Why Protecting your IP Address is Important
Every time you access the internet on your computer, be it for playing a game online or checking your social media profiles, your computer uses your IP address to communicate with the servers. The IP address allows the web to locate your device amongst the billions of others connected to the internet and deliver the content that you requested. If not protected, this numeric address can be exploited by cybercriminals in various ways. Most people presume that hiding the IP address applies only to those who access sensitive data online. However, hackers can take advantage of any Internet Protocol address for their gains. This may include anything from malware attacks to malicious activities. That is why it is very important[…]
May 11, 2020
How to Protect your IP Address from Cybercriminals
Cybercriminals can easily find your IP address and utilize that for targeted attacks or malicious activities. Sometimes, hackers can even trick users into revealing their IP address through social engineering and using instant messaging applications. Likewise, online gamers, who share their screens for live streaming, are also vulnerable to IP address hacking. After finding your IP address, hackers can use that to launch phishing attacks, DDoS attacks, or even gain access to your physical address for large-scale attacks. Therefore, it is very important to mask your IP address and protect yourself against cybercriminals. Below are some ways to secure your IP address. Use a VPN Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the simplest method to hide your IP address[…]
March 12, 2020
Public IP Address Allocation 2020 – Infographic
RIRs allocate IP addresses to internet providers and other companies that provide customers with internet services. There are five regional internet registries (RIRs) that handle the IP address allocation task for different regions of the world. They are APNIC, RIPE NCC, ARIN, AFRINIC, and LACNIC. The US is where the internet was invented, so unsurprisingly, it is the only nation that belongs to the “One Billion IP Addresses” club. This is evident in the following infographic. Just do not think that the nations having a smaller number of IP addresses allocated to them are lacking these so much. For instance, 7 million IP addresses are allocated to New Zealand, but the nation’s population is small too. So the Kiwis are[…]
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