← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

IP address

A unique number that identifies a device on a network, like a postal address, so data knows where to go. IPv4 looks like 192.168.1.5.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 33, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 33, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 6, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 2.1 Data Transmission Types and Methods — Module 4, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.4 Network Hardware — Module 12, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 26, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 32, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 16, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 37, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Cyber Security — Module 17

Understanding IP address in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: Just as a letter needs a street address, data needs a destination IP address so it reaches the right device. The IPv4 format is four numbers with dots between them, such as 192.168.1.5. Any device on a network, such as a laptop, phone or tablet, has an IP address.

Common mistakes: The four numbers in an IPv4 address are separated by dots, not commas. It should be ip.split('.') so the address splits into 4 parts. The string is missing its closing quote. It should be ip_address = '192.168.1.5' so the IP address is stored as text.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–40) and word search (Modules 21–52).

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Learning
Duo
Which statement best describes an IP address?
The brand name of a device's manufacturerA unique number that identifies a device on a network
Matches
Two devices on the same network both have the IP address 192.168.1.5
↓
Each device needs its own unique IP address. If two devices share one, data cannot tell which device it should go to.
Applying
Meanings
Term
IP address
Meaning
A unique number that identifies a device on a network, like a postal address, so data knows where to go. IPv4 looks like 192.168.1.5.
Practice
Device: Laptop
Testing
Gaps
address = 192.168.1.5
Check Answer
Spots
1ip = '192.168.1.5'
2parts = ip.split(',')

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement best describes an IP address?
A. The brand name of a device's manufacturer
B. A unique number that identifies a device on a network ✓
An IP address identifies a device on a network so data knows which device to reach.
2. An IP address is most like which everyday thing?
A. A postal address on a house ✓
B. A paint colour on a house
Just as a postal address tells the mail where to go, an IP address tells data where to go.
3. Why does data need an IP address as a destination?
A. So the data knows which device to travel to ✓
B. So the data can be made smaller
Without a destination address, data would not know which device on the network should receive it.
4. Which one is an example of an IPv4 address?
A. 192-hello-1-5
B. 192.168.1.5 ✓
IPv4 addresses are four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.5.
5. How are the numbers in an IPv4 address separated?
A. By dots, like 192.168.1.5 ✓
B. By spaces, like 192 168 1 5
IPv4 uses dots between its four numbers.

Match the Pairs

192.168.1.5 → An example of an IPv4 address, made of four numbers separated by dots
IP address → A unique number that identifies a device on a network
An IP address works like a postal address because it tells data where to be delivered → destination = 192.168.1.5
An IPv4 address has four numbers separated by dots → 192.168.1.5
Two devices on the same network both have the IP address 192.168.1.5 → Each device needs its own unique IP address. If two devices share one, data cannot tell which device it should go to.
192,168,1,5 → An IPv4 address uses dots between the four numbers, not commas.

Key Term

IP address
A unique number that identifies a device on a network, like a postal address, so data knows where to go. IPv4 looks like 192.168.1.5.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IP address = 192.168.1.5
Hint: Type the two-letter abbreviation for the unique number that identifies a device on a network.
2. IPv4 looks like 192.168.1.5
Hint: Type the version number of the IP format that uses four numbers separated by dots.
3. A house has a postal address, a device has an IP address
Hint: Type the thing on a network that an IP address identifies.
4. Data needs a destination so it knows where to go
Hint: Type the word for the place data is being sent to, which the IP address provides.
5. IPv4 numbers are separated by dots
Hint: Type the word for the symbol that separates each number in an IPv4 address.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A ip = '192.168.1.5'
B parts = ip.split(',')
C print(len(parts))
Line B — The four numbers in an IPv4 address are separated by dots, not commas. It should be ip.split('.') so the address splits into 4 parts.
Question 2
A device = 'laptop'
B ip_address = '192.168.1.5
C print(device, ip_address)
Line B — The string is missing its closing quote. It should be ip_address = '192.168.1.5' so the IP address is stored as text.
Question 3
A packet = 'Hello'
B destination = '192.168.1.8'
C send(packet destination)
Line C — The comma between the arguments is missing. Data needs a destination IP address, so it should be send(packet, destination).
Question 4
A ip = '192.168.1'
B print('Device IP:', ip)
C print(ip.split('.'))
Line A — An IPv4 address has four numbers separated by dots. This one has only three. It should be ip = '192.168.1.5'.
Question 5
A ip = '192.168.1.5'
B parts = ip.split('.')
C count = len(parts)
D print(count = 4)
Line D — A single = assigns a value, and it is not allowed inside print() like this. To check that an IPv4 address has 4 parts, use ==: print(count == 4).

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