IP Addresses

MAC Address

A unique identifier embedded on every Network Interface Card (NIC) used for communication within a local network.

IP Address

An address assigned to a network interface that identifies nodes at the network layer.

Port

A number used by the transport layer to locate an application.

Classful Addressing

A method for assigning IP addresses where the initial bits determine the network class (A, B, or C).

Public IP Address

An IP address valid for use on public networks such as the Internet.

Private IP Address

IP addresses usable on a private network but not routable on the Internet.

Subnetting

The process of dividing a network into smaller segments and calculating IP address ranges.

CIDR Notation

A shorthand method for identifying network and host bits in an IP address.

Static IP Address

An IP address that is manually assigned by a network administrator.

Dynamic IP Address

An IP address automatically assigned by a DHCP server as a device connects to the network.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

A technique that assigns a public IP address to a private network IP address through a gateway.

Source NAT (SNAT)

Allows traffic from a private network to access the internet.

Destination NAT (DNAT)

Used for traffic from a public network to a private network, performing an IP address translation.

Link

Any LAN segment bounded by routers.

Neighbors

Two or more nodes that reside on the same link.

Dual Stacked

A network that supports both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.

Tunneling

The process of encapsulating one protocol inside another.

Global Address (IPv6)

An IPv6 address that can be routed on the Internet.

Link Local Address

An automatically assigned IPv6 address used for communication over a local subnet.

Loopback Address

An address used to test if an interface and protocol stack are functioning properly.

Unicast Address

An IP address that specifies a single node on a network.

Multicast Address

An address used to deliver packets to all nodes in a specific multicast group.

Anycast Address

An address that identifies multiple destinations, delivering packets to the closest one.

Broadcasting (IPv4)

The process of sending messages to every node on a network.

Multicast Flooding

Traffic congestion problems caused by multicasting.

SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration)

A process by which an IPv6 client gathers information to configure its own address.