Private vs public IPv4 address space
When it comes to networking, there are two types of IP addresses: private and public. Understanding the difference between these two types of IPv4 addresses is important for when you need to troubleshoot your network. We'll explore how they work, as well as when both versions are best used in order to identify problems on either end – clients and servers!
IPv4 Addressing
IPv4 addressing is the fourth version of Internet Protocol (IP), the standard that defines how computers connect to each other on the internet. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, which means there are a total of 4,294,967,296 unique addresses that can be assigned.
Most of these addresses are assigned to specific locations, such as businesses or institutions. However, there is a limited pool of unassigned addresses that can be used for specific purposes, such as private networks or testing new products and services. Hence, the two variations: public and private IPv4 address space.
The differences between private and public IP address space
Public IPv4 addresses are assigned to devices that need to be reachable from the Internet, such as servers. Private IPv4 addresses are assigned to devices that do not need to be reachable from the Internet, such as laptops and printers.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's take a deeper dive into the difference between these two types of address space.
Private IPv4 Addresses
Private IP addresses are non-routable on the public internet. This means that if you have a website with a private IP address, only people on your local network will be able to access it.
Private IP addresses are most often used for local area networks (LANs), such as those in homes or small businesses. They're also used for virtual private networks (VPNs) and closed intranets.
Public IPv4 Addresses
Public IP addresses are routable on the public internet. This means that if you have a website with a public IP address, anyone in the world will be able to access it.
Public IP addresses are most often used for websites, email servers, and other publicly accessible online services. They're also used for some applications that need to be accessible from outside of your local network, such as remote desktop applications or file sharing services.
Private vs public IP address space: the difference explained
In conclusion, private and public IPv4 address space serve two very different purposes. Private address space is used for local networks and helps to conserve the number of available IP addresses, while public address space is used for organizations and individuals who need global connectivity. Keep this distinction in mind next time you're configuring a network!
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