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gekko · 07-12-2003, 09:28 PM

There are internal and external IPs. Each device that is connected to the internet is given an external IP by your ISP. It may cycle every time you connect, which for many means resetting the modem, but a few ISPs allow static IPs, which will never change. But usually unless you run a server, you don't need a static IP.

Internal IPs identify each computer of a network. They tend to be similar to 192.168.1.1, don't know why, but many networks use it by default. If you are on that network, you can connect to that IP to access that computer. However, anyone off the network can't access your computer by that IP, they must connect using the external IP, and if you're on a network, that can be difficult.

So let's say you have 4 computers connected to your modem using the uplink port (which basically involves no networking, more or less just splitting a cable). Your ISP would assign each of those computers an external IP, because there are 4 devices connected to the internet.

Now say you have a network setup, and you connect your router to the modem and connect. Your ISP assigns you 1 external IP, because only one device is connected, that being the router. From there, your individual computer is given an internal IP to be identified on the network.

So if you're not connected to a network (either LAN or WAN), you have no IP. Otherwise, you do, in some form.

Port numbers are just numbers used to identify different ports. I'm not sure what all the ports do, but sometimes if you're on a network or behind a firewall, it's necessary to open up certain ports for a program to work properly. It's all done on the router setup. For example, you may need to open ports 9700-9800 for a program to work properly. That's all it is, your computer doesn't have a specific "port number."

07-12-2003, 09:28 PM	#5
gekko Knight gekko is offline Now Playing: Posts: 3,890	There are internal and external IPs. Each device that is connected to the internet is given an external IP by your ISP. It may cycle every time you connect, which for many means resetting the modem, but a few ISPs allow static IPs, which will never change. But usually unless you run a server, you don't need a static IP. Internal IPs identify each computer of a network. They tend to be similar to 192.168.1.1, don't know why, but many networks use it by default. If you are on that network, you can connect to that IP to access that computer. However, anyone off the network can't access your computer by that IP, they must connect using the external IP, and if you're on a network, that can be difficult. So let's say you have 4 computers connected to your modem using the uplink port (which basically involves no networking, more or less just splitting a cable). Your ISP would assign each of those computers an external IP, because there are 4 devices connected to the internet. Now say you have a network setup, and you connect your router to the modem and connect. Your ISP assigns you 1 external IP, because only one device is connected, that being the router. From there, your individual computer is given an internal IP to be identified on the network. So if you're not connected to a network (either LAN or WAN), you have no IP. Otherwise, you do, in some form. Port numbers are just numbers used to identify different ports. I'm not sure what all the ports do, but sometimes if you're on a network or behind a firewall, it's necessary to open up certain ports for a program to work properly. It's all done on the router setup. For example, you may need to open ports 9700-9800 for a program to work properly. That's all it is, your computer doesn't have a specific "port number."