Basic concepts: what is an IP address and what is it for?
Behind every domain name there is an IP address. Here is what it is, the types that exist and why it is worth understanding.
When we browse the Internet, we do so through domain names such as accentobert.cat. But behind these names lies an invisible infrastructure that makes everything work. One of the key concepts of this infrastructure is the IP address, a fundamental element for domains to function correctly. Understanding it will help you manage your .cat domain better and make more informed decisions about your digital presence.
IP addresses: the invisible side of the Internet
Every device and server connected to the Internet is assigned an IP address, a unique numerical sequence that identifies it within the network. IP stands for Internet Protocol, and it is thanks to this system that devices can find each other and communicate.
The problem is that an IP address is hard to remember. Imagine having to type 159.69.179.129 every time you want to visit a website. To solve this, domain names were created: an easy way to identify places on the Internet.
The IP address 159.69.179.129 corresponds to the domini.cat website
A domain depends on an IP address
It is important to understand that a domain does not have its own IP address. What it does is point, through the DNS, to one or more IP addresses of the servers where the service is hosted, whether that’s a website or an email account.
Let’s put it into practice: when you type accentobert.cat into your browser, the system looks up which IP address that domain points to and connects your device to the corresponding server. The domain is the easy-to-remember name; the IP is the real address where the content lives. And one practical note: the IP addresses of a domain can change — for example, if you switch hosting providers — without the domain name changing.
Two types of IP address not to confuse
When we talk about IP addresses in the context of domains, it’s useful to distinguish two types:
- The IP address of a domain identifies a service or server. It’s the one the DNS associates with your domain name so that the content is accessible.
- The IP address of a device identifies a specific machine, such as your computer, mobile or router. It is often dynamic: your Internet provider assigns you one each time you connect, and it can change from one session to the next.
When you make a query in the browser, both types of IP address come into play: the DNS translates the domain into a server IP address, and your device, with its own IP address, makes the request and receives the response.
Why is it worth knowing?
You don’t need to master every technical detail to have a .cat domain, but knowing these concepts helps you better understand how the Internet works and what happens when, for example, you change hosting providers or set up an email account with your domain. Domain names, IP addresses and DNS form the invisible infrastructure that makes your project accessible every day.
