Types of IP addresses

What is an IP address?

In essence, an IP address is like a digital home address for your device, serving two main purposes: location and communication. It allows devices connected to the same network to find and communicate with each other.

Similar to how your home address identifies the specific location where you live (country, city, street, etc.), an IP address (which looks something like 104.124.145.85) identifies your device’s unique location and the network, such as the internet, you’re connected to.

And just as you need home addresses to send and receive mail and deliveries, IP addresses allow devices to send and receive data. By differentiating the devices connected to the network, IP addresses allow data packets to be routed to the correct device.

IP address structure: IPv4 vs. IPv6

The structure of an IP address is defined by the Internet Protocol version — IPv4 or IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 4 or 6).

IPv4

IPv4 version addresses are the most common. These IP addresses consist of a 32-bit number, which is made up of four 8-bit groups separated by dots. Each of the four groups contains a number between 0 and 255. With this structure, IPv4 provides approximately 4.3 billion unique IP addresses.

IPv4 still routes the majority of internet traffic today. However, as the internet grows, IPv4 is running out of possible addresses due to its limited address space and number combinations.

IPv6

IPv6 is a newer internet protocol version, standardized in 1998, and its deployment began in the mid-2000s. IPv6 addresses are made of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons, resulting in 128 bits. This allows for the creation of 2^128 unique IP addresses, 1000 times more than IPv4.

Apart from many IP address combinations and high scalability, IPv6 provides other advantages. For example, IPv6 enhances security by natively supporting IPSec. It also simplifies routing and reduces network complexity.

Types of IP addresses

Several factors define the IP address type, including IP version, usage, availability, and the IP address assignment’s purpose. Generally, IP addresses are divided into private and public, while public IP addresses are subdivided into static and dynamic IP addresses.

Private IP address

Private IP addresses can only be used by devices within the same local network. This allows secure communication between them and enables data packets to travel without external interference.

A device with a private IP address can’t directly connect to the internet, just like other devices outside the local network won’t be able to connect to a device with a private IP address. Being limited to a single private network, private IP addresses are protected from the threats of the public internet.

An IP address is regarded as private when its number falls into one of the three IP address ranges reserved by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA):

• Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
• Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
• Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

Public IP address

Public IP addresses provide global identification for hardware like computers, routers, and servers, allowing them to communicate directly with other devices and services over the internet.

As public IP addresses are the foundation of online communication, you need one for all online activities, such as browsing the web, streaming media, accessing online services, etc.

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) assigns a public IP address to your router. That’s why all devices you connect to the same network will have the same public IP address.

Usually, ISPs provide dynamic IP addresses, which means that every time you connect to the internet, your IP will be different. However, some ISPs (on special request) will provide a static IP address that always remains the same.

Dynamic IP address

A dynamic IP address is a temporary, ISP-assigned address that changes every time you connect to the internet. Dynamic IP addresses are commonly used by small businesses and most users at home for computers and mobile devices.

ISPs have a pool of IP addresses and usually employ Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign IP addresses to devices automatically. This client-server protocol ensures smooth IP management and prevents address conflicts.

Because of their ever-changing nature, dynamic IP addresses make tracking a specific device or user more difficult, providing better anonymity and security. On the other hand, because of the same reason, you may experience temporary connectivity disruptions when the address changes.

Static IP address

Opposite to dynamic IPs, static IP addresses are fixed and never change. They are usually used for activities that need a consistent IP address — hosting servers and websites, running VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol) servers, port forwarding, or remote access to networks and devices. You can learn how to use them here.

Static IPs ensure stability, but because they never change, they are more open to security threats and make it easier for your identity to get disclosed.

Typically, ISPs assign static IP addresses at an additional cost. However, if you don’t want to deal with your ISP, you can get this service from Surfshark — Dedicated IP provides you with a static IP that’s uniquely yours, and you get all the benefits of a VPN, too. 

Other IP address types

In addition to the main types of IP addresses, there are other types that have specific purposes in network communications and make gaming, streaming, and data-sharing processes easier.

Loopback IP address

Loopback IP addresses range from 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255, with 127.0.0.1 used the most. This type of IP address routes outgoing IP packets back to the same device for testing and diagnostic purposes.

When used in testing and development, loopback addresses help verify that a device’s network stack is operating properly and isolate issues within the device. Loopback IP addresses also help during software testing, as they can simulate network communication within the same device.

Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA)

APIPA is a feature available on Microsoft Windows operating systems. In case the DHCP server isn’t available, APIPA acts as a failover and automatically assigns a private IP address (169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255) to a device.

Automatic private IP addressing ensures communication between devices on the same network, even without a DHCP server. APIPA also doesn’t require manual configuration, making it very convenient for small networks. 

Multicast IP address

Multicast IP addresses (ranging from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255) are used to simultaneously send the same data to a group of devices, thus reducing network traffic. This type of IP address is perfect for online gaming, live video streaming, and other real-time applications.

Broadcast IP address

Broadcast IP addresses are special IP addresses used when data has to be sent to all devices on a network. Usually, this type of IP address is used for network management purposes, like service discovery (e.g., locating network printers) or sending out configuration updates.

Default gateway IP address

A default gateway IP address is your router’s (or other gateway device’s) IP address. This is the IP address that connects your network to the internet.

Default gateway IP addresses are essential for network communications — when a device on your network wants to communicate with a device or a service on an external network (such as the internet), it will send the data to the default gateway, which will forward it to the appropriate destination.

IP address allocation and management

IP address allocation and management are crucial aspects of network infrastructure. They ensure proper network performance and connectivity by planning, assigning, and monitoring IP addresses.

IP address classes

For effective address allocation and management, IPv4 addresses are divided into five different classes:

Class A. Class A addresses are reserved for large networks. Ranging from 1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0, they support up to 16 million hosts per network.

Class B. Class B addresses are designed for medium-sized networks. They range from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.0.0 and support up to 65,000 hosts per network.

Class C. Class C addresses are intended for smaller networks. Ranging from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.0, they support up to 254 hosts per network.

Class D. Class D addresses are used for multicasting and range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.

Class E. Class E addresses are reserved for experimental/research purposes and range from 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.

Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)

Classless inter-domain routing is an IP address allocation method that replaces the traditional class-based system, overcoming its limitations.

CIDR allows IP address space to be utilized more efficiently — it uses variable-length subnet masks (VLSM), meaning that the IP address network part can be of variable length.

The main advantages of CIDR include improved use of address space, network design, address allocation flexibility, and quicker data transmission.

Security considerations

Various network configurations have different security implications, so it is important to understand them and choose what best suits your needs.

Public vs. private IP addresses

Your public IP address can reveal your approximate location and your internet service provider, while ISPs themselves can see your online activities. Because public IP addresses expose devices to the internet, they are more vulnerable to external threats, such as increased risk of cyberattacks, privacy breaches, and unauthorized access to systems.

In contrast, private IP addresses are not accessible over the internet and are only used on private networks. Private IPs provide more security by keeping devices out of direct exposure to the internet. However, they’re not completely threat-proof, and additional security measures, such as firewalls and breach detection systems, should be implemented.

Dynamic IP address security

Dynamic IP addresses change over time, which can have some security benefits. For example, changing addresses can make cyberattacks more difficult to carry out — a dynamic IP address makes a device harder to track and target. Dynamic IPs also reduce the risk of IP spoofing and IP-based DDoS attacks.

Changing IP addresses with a VPN

So, you want to access the internet, but you need a public IP address for that. But public IPs expose you to online threats, so you want to improve your anonymity and privacy, right?

You can easily do so by changing your public IP address with a VPN. After connecting to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed via a secure server, which may be located anywhere in the world. During this process, your actual IP address gets masked, and your device appears to have the IP address of the server you’re connected to, allowing you to virtually change your location, too.

By providing your device with a new IP address, a VPN connection can help you hide your identity and location from websites, advertisers, and cybercriminals.

What IP type do I get when I use a VPN?

When you connect to a VPN, you’ll get assigned an IP address from your VPN provider’s network. What type of IP address you receive will vary depending on the VPN service — VPN providers usually offer shared IP addresses, while some services also have dedicated IP addresses.

Shared IP address

Most VPN providers offer shared IP addresses, meaning multiple users are given the same IP address. Sharing an IP address with others makes linking any online activity back to a particular user complicated, improving privacy and anonymity.

On the other hand, one downside to sharing an IP address with strangers online is that malicious activity by just one of them could affect the reputation of other devices sharing that IP address. 

Dedicated IP address

Some VPN services also offer a dedicated IP address — a single user is assigned a unique IP address that is not used by anyone else. This exclusive IP address is great for activities like online banking, accessing secure business networks, and avoiding CAPTCHA verifications — basically, all activities that require a consistent IP address.

With a VPN’s dedicated IP address, you mask your real IP address, get all the other benefits of VPN protection, and also avoid the risks that come with shared IP addresses. So, make sure to check out Surfshark’s Dedicated IP.

Conclusion: understanding IP addresses

Understanding how IP addresses work is crucial for effective network management and maintaining your privacy and security online. Now that you know about the various IP address types, their specific purpose, and different levels of security, you can make an informed decision about which IP address type is best for you and what security measures, like using a VPN, you should take. 

FAQ

What is the most common type of IP address?

The most common type of IP address is dynamic, which changes every time a device connects to the network.

What is the best type of IP address?

The best type of IP address depends entirely on specific needs and requirements, as each type has its advantages and disadvantages. For daily online activities, use a VPN service, which will hide your actual IP address, improving your privacy and security.

How can I find my IP address?

On most operating systems, you’ll find your IP address somewhere within the network settings. But you can also easily find your IP address by simply clicking here: “What’s my IP?”