Abbreviation for Internet Protocol address. An IP address consists of a numeric code containing four figures from 0 to 255 (e. g. 217.72.195.42). Newer IP addresses (IPv6) are significantly longer and consist of digits and the letters a-f, which are separated from each other by a colon (e.g. 2001:8a2e:0370:0db8:85a3:7344:08d3:1319). This is the numeric address of a specific computer on the Internet. The IP address can be used to unambiguously identify a computer on the network.
In order to enable end users to avoid having to deal with complex numeric sequences, there is something called the Domain Name System, which converts IP addresses into alphanumeric identifiers. This can be used, for example, to convert the IP address 193.134.72.151 into the Baloise Group.
As an infinite number of IP addresses is not available, private ports are usually allocated dynamic IP addresses. If the connection to a dynamic IP address is interrupted, the next available number is assigned when the connection is re-established.
In contrast, static IP addresses are mainly used for computers that provide services on the Internet and which should always be accessible at the same IP address (e.g. Baloise).