Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
Can anyone clarify as correct
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That's basically correct. Here's a very simplified explanation:
In order for any network of computers to function, each computer needs a unique address to participate.
Since the Internet is a
global network, every single connection needs a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address.
Your address can be one of two types: static or dynamic.
Static never changes and is always the same value; this is what we need for servers, for example, so that when you ask for Club Cobra, it will always translate into a fixed address.
Dynamic can change. It is a temporary address for your present session.
The folks that you pay for internet access (your ISP) hook you up to the global network. Each ISP owns a block of addresses; when you connect to them, they assign an IP address to your computer for the session.
This is done by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Basically, in a handshake, your PC says "gimme a number" and they respond with an assignment.
You don't own the number forever... it is given to you on a lease, which has an expiration date.
On a dial-up, you are assigned a number from the pool for your current session, and it goes back into the pool when you hang-up.
On a broadband (DSL, Cable, Fiber) connection, you are assigned a number when you connect thru your broadband modem and that number remains with you as long as the cable modem is talking to the ISP. The IP you get has a lease, with the term of days, so most of the time you will have the same IP with a broadband connection as long as your modem stays connected, which is usually full time.
If you, say, go on vacation for a week and shut all your gear off... when you come back and reconnect thru broadband, you may get a new IP address. Otherwise, shutting off at night and turning back on in the morning will keep you with the same IP, since your off-time is well within the terms of the lease.
With system commands on your PC, you can release and renew your IP, that is, turning in a number and going back to the fishbowl to pick a new one...but most ISPs will just give you the same number back, since the lease is still active.