What Is an IP Address and What Is It For

Introduction

An IP address is one of the most important concepts for understanding how devices communicate on the Internet. It’s used by your computer, your phone, your router, your domain, and also the server where your website is hosted.

In this guide we explain, in simple terms, what an IP address is, what it’s for, what types exist, and how it relates to your hosting service, your domain, and DNS.

What an IP address is

An IP address stands for Internet Protocol address. It’s a numeric identifier assigned to a device connected to a network, whether a local network or the Internet.

It works similarly to a postal address: it lets you know where data is being sent from and where it needs to arrive.

For example, an IP address can look like this:

192.168.0.1

That format is an IPv4 address. There are also IPv6 addresses, which are longer and use numbers and letters in hexadecimal format, for example:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

What an IP address is for

An IP address lets devices communicate with each other. Without an IP, a computer, phone, server, or router wouldn’t know how to correctly send or receive information.

In practice, an IP is used to:

1. Identify a device within a network.
2. Send and receive data between devices.
3. Route packets of information across the Internet.
4. Access online services.
5. Configure networks, servers, routers, or devices.
6. Allow or restrict access for security reasons.
7. Troubleshoot connection problems.

Whenever you visit a website, send an email, or access a hosting panel, IP addresses are working behind the scenes to get the connection to the right destination.

How an IP address works

When a device connects to a network, it needs an IP to be able to communicate. That IP can be assigned in two main ways:

Static IP

A static IP is configured manually and stays fixed over time.

It’s typically used on:

• Servers.
• Routers.
• Network devices.
• Services that need to always be reachable at the same address.

For example, a hosting server may use a fixed IP so domains always point to the same place.

Dynamic IP

A dynamic IP is assigned automatically, usually through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

It’s common on:

• Home connections.
• Offices.
• WiFi networks.
• Internet service providers.

In this case, the IP can change when the router restarts, when the device reconnects, or when the provider renews the assignment.

Difference between public IP and private IP

IP addresses can be public or private.

Public IP

A public IP is the address visible from the Internet. It’s usually the IP your internet provider assigns to your home or office router.

It’s also known as an external IP, since it’s the address that identifies your connection outside your local network.

Private IP

A private IP is used inside a local network. For example, your computer, your phone, and your printer can each have a different private IP inside your home, even though they all share the same public IP when going out to the Internet.

Typical example of a private IP:

192.168.1.25

Difference between your connection’s IP and your hosting’s IP

It’s very common to confuse the IP of your Internet connection with the IP of your hosting service.

They’re not the same thing:

• The IP of your connection is the one your router uses to browse the Internet.
• The IP of your hosting is the address of the server where your website or service is hosted.

Generally, your home connection’s IP can change from time to time. Your hosting service’s IP, on the other hand, usually stays stable so your domain and website keep working correctly.

How to find out your public IP address

To find your public IP, you can use an online tool that shows the IP you’re browsing from.

You can also search Google for “what is my IP” or visit a specialized website to see it automatically.

Keep in mind that this IP corresponds to your current Internet connection, not necessarily to the IP of your website or hosting.

How to find your hosting service’s IP

If your hosting is with miHosting.com, the IP for your account is usually shown in the welcome or activation email you received when you signed up.

If you don’t have that email, you can:

1. Check your client area.
2. Open a support ticket asking for your account details.
3. Run a ping to your domain to see which IP it responds from, as long as the domain is already pointing correctly to the hosting.

Example command:

ping yourdomain.com

Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain.

How an IP, a domain, and DNS relate to each other

Even though a website is hosted at an IP address, it’s much easier for users to remember a domain like:

yourdomain.com

than a numeric IP.

That’s where DNS, the Domain Name System, comes in. DNS is responsible for translating the domain into the IP of the server where the website is hosted.

In short:

1. You type the domain into your browser.
2. DNS looks up which IP that domain should point to.
3. The browser connects to the corresponding server.
4. The website appears on screen.

If your domain uses miHosting.com’s DNS, this translation is managed from the DNS zone linked to your service.

When I visit my website’s IP I don’t see my page

This can be completely normal.

On many shared hosting servers, the same IP address can host several websites. That’s why, if you type the IP directly into your browser, your website might not show up, even though the domain works correctly.

What matters is that your page loads correctly when accessed through the domain.

Example:

https://yourdomain.com

If the domain works, you don’t need to worry about the website not showing when you type only the IP. In specific cases, when a project requires it, using a dedicated IP can be considered.

Difference between IP address and MAC address

An IP address and a MAC address are both used to identify devices, but they don’t do the same thing.

A MAC address is a physical identifier for a device’s network card. It’s assigned by the manufacturer and is mainly used within a local network.

An IP address is a logical identifier that allows data to be routed between networks, including the Internet. It can change depending on the network the device connects to.

Put simply:

• The MAC identifies the network hardware.
• The IP identifies the device within a network so it can send and receive data.

IPv4 vs. IPv6: what’s the difference

There are two main versions of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four blocks separated by periods.

Example:

192.168.0.1

For many years it has been the most widely used system on the Internet.

IPv6

IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, represented as hexadecimal blocks separated by colons.

Example:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

IPv6 was created to expand the number of available addresses, since more and more devices are connecting to the Internet every day.

What classes of IP addresses exist

In IPv4 there used to be a traditional classification into classes: A, B, C, D, and E.

• Class A: designed for very large networks.
• Class B: designed for medium-sized networks.
• Class C: designed for smaller networks.
• Class D: reserved for multicast.
• Class E: reserved for experimental use.

Today this classification is considered more of a technical and historical concept. With IPv6 and modern address assignment systems, management is much more flexible.

What an IP address can reveal

An IP address can reveal approximate information about the connection, such as:

• Approximate country or region.
• Approximate city, depending on the database consulted.
• The Internet provider or network being used to connect.

However, an IP alone doesn’t show your exact physical address or directly identify a specific person.

Accuracy depends on the IP geolocation databases used and can vary. That’s why an IP can point to a nearby location, but not always an exact one.

What knowing your IP can be useful for

Knowing your IP can help you in situations such as:

1. Setting up a local network.
2. Diagnosing connection problems.
3. Requesting help from technical support.
4. Setting up remote access.
5. Allowing your IP through a firewall or security system.
6. Checking whether your domain points to the correct server.
7. Reviewing DNS or hosting configurations.

For example, if you contact support because you can’t access your website, providing your public IP can help check whether there’s a specific block affecting your connection.

How to change your IP address

It depends on which IP you want to change.

Changing your connection’s public IP

On many home connections, simply restarting the router is enough for the provider to assign a new public IP.

Typical steps:

1. Turn off the router.
2. Wait a few seconds.
3. Turn it back on.
4. Check whether your public IP has changed.

This works in many cases, but not always. Some providers keep the same IP for longer periods.

Changing a fixed public IP

If your Internet provider assigned you a fixed IP, only the provider can change it. In that case, you need to contact them and request the change.

Changing your computer’s local IP

Your local IP depends on your operating system’s and network’s configuration. It can be changed from your device’s network settings or by setting a static IP on your router.

If you don’t have technical experience, it’s best to do this carefully to avoid network conflicts.

Useful tips

• Don’t confuse your connection’s IP with your hosting’s IP.
• If your website works correctly through the domain, don’t worry if it doesn’t load when you type only the IP.
• Before changing DNS or IP records, confirm you have the correct server details.
• If your domain isn’t loading, first check that the DNS is properly configured and propagated.
• If you suspect your IP is blocked by a firewall, contact support and provide your public IP.
• Don’t share screenshots of your network configuration if they contain sensitive data you don’t want made public.

Common problems

My domain isn’t pointing to the correct IP

This can happen because the DNS hasn’t propagated yet, because the A record is misconfigured, or because the domain is using different DNS servers than expected.

Check the domain’s DNS zone and confirm that the main record points to the hosting’s correct IP.

My website works through the domain but not through the IP

This is normal on shared hosting. The same IP can host many websites, and the server needs the domain name to know which site to show.

My public IP changes from time to time

This is normal if your Internet provider assigns you a dynamic IP. For a fixed IP, you’ll need to check with your provider.

My IP-based location shows a different city

IP geolocation is approximate. Databases may show a nearby city or the provider’s location, not necessarily your exact location.

Frequently asked questions

What is an IP address?

An IP address is an identifier that lets a device communicate within a network or over the Internet.

Are public IP and private IP the same thing?

No. The public IP identifies your connection to the Internet. The private IP identifies a device within a local network, such as your home or office.

Is my computer’s IP the same as my website’s IP?

No. Your computer uses the IP of your connection or local network. Your website uses the IP of the hosting server where it’s stored.

Why doesn’t my website show up when I type the IP into the browser?

Because on shared hosting, the same IP can host several websites. The server needs to receive the domain name to display the correct page.

Which is better, IPv4 or IPv6?

It’s not really about which one is “better” for the end user. IPv4 is still widely used, while IPv6 provides many more addresses and supports the Internet’s continued growth.

Can I change my hosting’s IP?

It depends on the type of service and the configuration available. If you need a different IP or a dedicated IP, it’s best to contact support or sales to review your case.

Can an IP reveal my exact location?

Not usually. An IP can show an approximate location, such as country, region, or provider, but it doesn’t typically reveal your exact physical address.

Conclusion

An IP address is the identifier that lets devices, servers, and networks communicate correctly. It’s essential for browsing the Internet, accessing online services, configuring domains, managing DNS, and troubleshooting connection issues.

If you need to find out your hosting’s IP on miHosting.com, check your service’s welcome email, your client area, or contact support so we can help you locate it.