IP
Internet Protocol
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
IP is the postal system of the internet. Every device gets an address (an IP address) and all data gets wrapped in envelopes called packets. IP figures out how to route those envelopes from sender to receiver across the entire internet.
Real Talk
IP is a network-layer protocol responsible for addressing and routing packets across interconnected networks. It defines the format of packets and the addressing scheme (IPv4 or IPv6) used to identify source and destination devices.
When You'll Hear This
"The IP protocol handles routing packets across networks." / "Check which IP the server is responding from."
Related Terms
IP Address
An IP address is your device's home address on the internet.
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
IPv4 is the original address format for the internet — four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.1. The problem?
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)
IPv6 is the new, massive address format for the internet. Instead of four small numbers, it's eight groups of letters and numbers separated by colons.
Packet
A packet is a small chunk of data with an envelope around it.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
TCP is like sending a package with delivery confirmation.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
UDP is like shouting information across a room — fast but no guarantee anyone heard you. There's no handshake, no confirmation.