Each and every computer connected to the open Internet is allocated a unique number identified as an Internet Protocol (IP) address. As these numbers are generally allocated to the internet service providers within region-based segments, an IP address can frequently be used to discover the state or nation from which a computer is connecting to the Internet. An IP address can occasionally be used to demonstrate the user’s universal location.
Knowing your IP address by using ‘ipconfig’ Command
Finding one’s IP address is very simple. Follow the steps given below:
- Click on the Start Menu >> Run option.
- Type “cmd” in the Run prompt which pops up the command prompt.
- Once the command prompt is open, type “ipconfig” in the prompt.
- The result is very helpful giving you the required IP address of your computer along with the subnet mask and your default gateway.
Knowing your IP address by using ‘ipconfig’ Command
Finding the Regional Location of an IP Address
It is very difficult to find the exact location of a particular IP address. Private IP addresses are very difficult to trace. Most organizations employ NAT/ PAT which makes the trace even complex.
Public IP addresses are leased/ sold to countries. These countries in turn lease them to various ISPs (Internet service providers) and finally ISPs provide it to local customers. The most magnified tracking possible would be, up-till the particular ISP providing the IP.
The internet is a risky place, it can give you all information you want. Free online software tools make the location tracking easier.
The best one is:- http://www.ip2location.com/free.asp
On entering the IP address the results prompt the name of the ISP and its location (country-name). Further tracking in depth would involve contacting the ISP, which may include legal procedures as well.
One more helpful site is: – http://www.arin.net/whois/
Static IP addresses
Static IP address is an address that is fixed and permanently assigned to a machine, unless manually changed. A Static IP address remains the same every time a user logs on or a machine boots up on the network. This type of address is provided by ISPs an additional cost.
Static IP addresses are configured by a network administrator individually on each machine. The advantage of this type of allocation is that the administrator has complete knowledge about the IP assigned to each machine.
The drawback is obviously the manual work and time involved. Imagine the time and workload involved in configuring thousands of computers in an organization.
Dynamic IP Addresses
A Dynamic IP address is an IP that is not fixed. ISPs deploy dynamic allocation of IPs to their clients. Dynamic IP addresses have proved to be a boon for network administrators, reducing manual work by tons.
This is how it works.
The whole concept of Dynamic IP addresses relies on something called a DHCP client-server model. The DHCP server is the boss and has all the information preconfigured. The Client (local machine) is configured to contact the DHCP server whenever it needs an IP. The DHCP server provides the client with all the necessary information needed for communication with the internet. There can be variations in ways a dynamic IP is assigned to a client.
- The DHCP server is configured to assign only one specific IP every time a particular machine requests for an IP. The Machines Mac-address is statically mapped to this IP. Although dynamic in terms of assignment this type of allocation is also called Static DHCP, because the machine always gets the same IP. A machine configured this way will always show the same IP each time it boots-up on the network.
- The DHCP server may be pre-configured to randomly assign any IP from a Block of IPs (collection of IPs) to any machine that requests it. When the machine logs-off or shuts-down, its IP is released back to the server. On re-login a different IP, any one available from the IP block is allocated.