Public and Private IP addresses

IP addresses identify devices on a network, allowing them to communicate, manage traffic, and ensure each device has a unique address. Based on their accessibility and routing scope, they are classified into two types:

1. Private IP Address

The Private IP Address is used for communication within a local network (LAN). It allows devices to send and receive data internally. These addresses are typically assigned by a router, ensuring unique addresses for each device on the network. Private IPs are not visible on the internet, making them more secure than public IPs.

Can we trace Private IP Address

Yes, we can trace Private IP Addresses, but this happens only by using other devices on the local network. Devices that are connected to the local network has private IP Address and this can only be visible to the devices that are connected within that network. But it can't be seen online as it happens in public IP Addresses.

Advantages of Private IP Addresses

• Security: Private IPs are not directly accessible from the internet, reducing the risk of cyber attacks.
• Scalability: They provide sufficient address space for networks of any size, supporting growth of devices and services.
• Cost-Effective: Organizations can use private IPs internally without buying large blocks of public IPs, saving costs.

Disadvantages of Private IP Addresses

• Limited Accessibility: Private IP addresses are not directly available from general public internet, resulting in hiding internet community sources.
• Interoperability Issues: While integrating with external services  Private IP addresses may come across interoperability issues.
• Network Address Translation (NAT) Overhead: Network Address Translation (NAT) introduces overhead in terms of processing energy, latency, and complexity, in particular in big-scale deployments.

2. Public IP Address

The Public IP Address of a system is the IP address that is used to communicate outside the network. A public IP address is basically assigned by the ISP (Internet Service Provider). 

Public IP Address is basically of two types:

• Dynamic IP Address: Changes over time. Assigned by the ISP each time a device (computer, smartphone) connects to the internet.
• Static IP Address: Permanent and unchanging. Often used by servers, such as DNS servers.

Can we trace Public IP Address

Yes, Public IP Addresses can be traced back to the Internet Service Provider that can easily trace the geographical location. This might reveal the location very easily to advertisers, hackers, etc. For using the Internet anonymously, you can easily hide your IP Address by using different ways like VPN, Tor Browser, etc. But among different ways, VPN is the fastest and most secure way of using the Internet.

Advantages of Public IP Address

• Direct Access: A public IP allows users to access your device directly.
• Hosting: its ideal for hosting websites, game servers, or services without additional network configurations.
• Direct Communication: Device with public IPs can communicate directly to each other over the internet without any extra setups.

Disadvantages of Public IP Address

• Higher Costs: Public IP addresses usually takes extra cost from internet service providers or cloud services.
• Limited Availability: With the continuous decrease of IPv4, public IPs are becoming harder to obtain.
• Privacy Concerns: Devices with public IPs are easier to trace, thus reducing user privacy.

Difference Between Private and Public IP Addresses

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5 Questions

Which of the following is a private IP address range?

• A

  8.8.8.8

• B

  172.32.10.5

• C

  192.168.1.100

• D

  203.0.113.50

Explanation:

192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255 is one of the three private IPv4 ranges.

Private IP addresses are

• A

  Globally unique and routable on the Internet

• B

  Not routable on the public Internet

• C

  Assigned by IANA directly

• D

  Always static

Explanation:

Private IPs (RFC 1918) are filtered at ISP level — not routed on the public Internet.

Which of these is NOT a valid RFC 1918 private range?

• A

  10.0.0.0/8

• B

  172.16.0.0/12

• C

  192.168.0.0/16

• D

  172.32.0.0/16

Explanation:

: 172.16.0.0–172.31.255.255 (/12) is private; 172.32.0.0/16 is public.

Public IP addresses are managed and allocated by

• A

  Local routers

• B

  Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) and ISPs

• C

  Individual organizations freely

• D

  The device manufacturer

Explanation:

IANA → RIRs (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, etc.) → ISPs → customers.

To allow a device with private IP to access the Internet, we use

• A

  DNS

• B

  NAT (Network Address Translation)

• C

  ARP

• D

  ICMP

Explanation:

NAT (usually PAT/overloading) translates private → public IP on the router.

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