IPv4 ADDRESSES

To efficiently configure and manage networks, network engineers must have a solid understanding of IPv4 addresses. Anyone working in networking or IT infrastructure has to understand IPv4 since it is crucial to how devices recognise and communicate with one another.

 IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) is a key component of computer networking that affects how devices connect to the internet. It is among the fundamental components that enable flawless communication between gadgets such as servers, cell phones, and PCs. What is an IPv4 address, though, and why is it significant?

In essence, each device on a network is given a unique identity known as an IPv4 address. It instructs data on where to go, much like a house's street address. Four sets of integers, separated by periods, make up an IPv4 address, such as 192.168.1.1. With a conceivable range of 0 to 255 for each of these values, nearly 4 billion addresses are possible. This might seem like a lot, but as more devices connect to the internet, the demand for addresses has increased dramatically, leading to the adoption of newer protocols like IPv6.

Why is IPv4 Important?

IPv4 is still a frequently used system worldwide, despite its age. It makes sure that devices are able to find and connect with one another, which makes the internet work efficiently. Without IPv4 (or IPv6 in more recent systems), devices wouldn't be able to send emails, connect to websites, or use any of the services we take for granted.

 

there is some key points about IPv4 address:

Format: An IPv4 address, such 192.168.0.1, is expressed as four octets, or decimal places. We have 32 bits overall because each number corresponds to an 8-bit portion of the address.

Network and Host: The address is made up of two parts: the network's identification and the host's (or device's) identification.

The skills i learn from understanding IPv4 networking basics and how devices communicate on a networks, subnetting like how networks can be divided into smaller, and  more manageable.