C+P from 'Domain Names' So, what actually are domain names and IP addresses? ---------------------------------------------------------------- What is an IP Address? An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique set of numbers assigned to each device connected to the internet or a network. It acts like a "home address" for your computer or website, allowing data to find its way to the correct destination. For example, an IP address can look like 192.168.1.1 (IPv4) or a longer format like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (IPv6). Every device on the internet needs an IP to send and receive information accurately. What is a domain name? A domain name is a user-friendly name that is easy to remember, like example.com, which corresponds to a numerical IP address. Instead of remembering a long string of numbers, humans can type a simple word or phrase to reach a website. The domain name points to the IP address behind the scenes, so the web browser knows where to go. How They Work Together When you type a domain name in your browser, a system called the Domain Name System (DNS) translates that domain name into its corresponding IP address. This process is similar to looking up a person’s name in a phone book to find their phone number. Once the IP is found, your browser can connect to the website’s server and load the page. continued N+C
In simple terms, IP addresses are like GPS coordinates or street addresses for computers, and domain names are the easier-to-remember names we use to reach those addresses. This system makes navigating the internet fast, reliable, and user-friendly. Example Domain name: www.google.com IP address: 142.250.190.78 (one of Google’s servers) When you enter www.google.com in your browser, DNS converts it to 142.250.190.78, so your computer can locate Google’s server and display the webpage!
