What is the Internet Protocol (IP)?
The Internet Protocol (IP) is:
- A protocol that defines the structure of an Internet address and assigns a unique address to every device on the Internet. This means that IP serves as the fundamental addressing system that allows devices to communicate over the internet by ensuring each has a unique identifier.
What does the statement "IP addresses are hierarchical" mean?
The statement "IP addresses are hierarchical" means:
- The information in an IP address goes from broad to specific. This implies that the design of an IP address is structured in a way that allows networks to be divided into large groups (broad) and then further into smaller subgroups (specific), facilitating efficient routing of data across the internet.
In summary:
- IP is a protocol for unique addressing of devices on the Internet.
- Hierarchical nature of IP addresses allows for organized routing from general network identifiers down to specific devices.