IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of Internet Protocol addressing. IPv4 addresses use a format such as 192.168.1.5 and yield approximately 4 billion distinct addresses. Because global address capacity was depleted, IPv6 was introduced with significantly longer addresses to support a vastly larger number of connected devices.

IPv4 and IPv6

In computer networking, an IP address and a port number function together to achieve end-to-end data delivery across protocol layers. While the IP address routes data across interconnected networks to reach the target device, the port number identifies the specific program or service on that device intended to receive the transmission.

End-to-End Addressing using IP and Port Numbers

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a logical network-layer identifier assigned to a device to enable addressing and the routing of packets across multiple interconnected networks. Rather than identifying a permanent physical hardware interface or pinpointing an individual's exact physical location, an IP address typically specifies a device's network or regional presence.

IP Address

A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a permanent hardware identifier embedded directly into a device's network interface card. It operates at the local link level to uniquely distinguish and identify a device on a local network segment.

MAC Address

A port number is a numerical identifier used to distinguish a specific program, application, or service running on a networked device. When combined with an IP address—which locates the device itself—the port number directs incoming data to the precise destination software, such as web servers listening on port 80 for HTTP or port 443 for HTTPS.

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