Each computer (or other device) connected to a network is given a specific number called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Each device is identified and located using this number. Each network-connected device requires one or more IP addresses. A DHCP service is typically used to automatically assign distinct IP addresses to each device on home or office networks. IP addresses may also be assigned statically, which calls for a specific configuration of the device to use a given IP address.

On the internet, there are two types of IP addresses in use. The IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are listed below.

IPv4

IPv4 addresses, also known as version 4 IP addresses, are 32-bit numbers that are typically displayed as chunks of four 8-bit decimal bytes separated by dots (.). An illustration is 192.0.2.146

IPv6

A version 6 IP address, often known as an IPv6 address, is a 128-bit number that is typically displayed as 8-word, 16-bit chunks separated by colons (:). 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334, as an illustration.

IPv6 addresses can be condensed into a shorter form for user convenience. First off, any hexadecimal word can be written without the beginning zeros. Second, a double colon can be used in place of a row of words that are all zeros (::) - but take note that this can only be applied to one group of zeros and only once.

Consider the following IPv6 address as an illustration:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

This address becomes: if the leading zeros are removed.

2001:db8:85a3:0:0:8a2e:0370:7334

The address is changed to: by using a double colon in place of the string of consecutive zeros.2001:500:88:200::10

2001:db8:85a3:::8a2e:0370:7334

In this instance, the shortening reduces the address to little less than half its original length.

DNS