Most of us (and by us I mean you non-techie peoplez!) have been at our jobs when the geeks (sorry, IT department) throw an occasional “geek term” at us and we have no idea what they are talking about or what planet they’re from. Does the term “IP address” sound familiar? Have you heard that before and still aren’t quite sure what it means? (note: it has nothing to do with the bathroom)
The term “IP” is an acronym for “Internet Protocol”. An IP address (or Internet Protocol address) is an unique numerical label that is assigned to and identifies any device located on a network, such as a business’s internal company network or the Internet as a whole.
To make it even easier to understand, let’s compare it to something else you’re very familiar with: your house address. Your house address identifies your location so the post office, friends, or family know where you live. An IP address is no different. In this analogy, your house is the computer, your address is the IP address, the system of streets is the tubes and wires that make up the Internet (or any network), and the mailman (or cars that pull into your driveway with friends and family) is the informational “packets” (as we call them) that carry information to and from your computer, which is easy to locate because of your house (IP) address. Seem easy enough? 
For more details about IP addresses, check out the definition for IP address on Wikipedia..
Still confused about this topic? Leave your question in the comments below and let us know!
Do you like Jabloggy and/or this article? Then enter your email address in the box on the right to receive Jabloggy love in your inbox every time a new article is published!
