A public IP address is a unique number which identifies your network on the internet. This number is provided by the internet service provider. It is the number which is used by the website or online services in order to send data back to the user.
Suppose your public IP address is 39.45.100.22. In that case, sites such as Google or YouTube will provide responses or results to 39.45.
Why Is Public IP Important?
A public IP is significant because it enables you to visit websites, applications, and other online services by facilitating two-way communication on the internet.
For Instance, When you Open YouTube, YouTube Requires Public IP for Streaming the Video to You.
How Does a Public IP Address Work?
The router employs the public IP address in linking the private devices to the internet. Once a website responds to a request by sending information back, this information arrives at the public IP and is finally delivered by the router to the appropriate device. For example, if I were to request “facebook.com” on my mobile phone, Facebook will post a response back to my “public IP,” and then my router will forward this reply back to my phone.
Public IP Addresses and Private IP Addresses
The public IP can be seen on the internet, whereas the private IP is only used in the home/office network.
Suppose your internet router has an IP address of 39.45.100.22, but on your cell phone, it may be 192.168.1.5.
What Is My Public IP?
The public one is the IP address viewed by the internet when you connect. The easiest way to know this is by searching on Google what is my IP; this will give you your current IP right away. The other way is by looking at the internet/WAN settings of the router. For instance, if Google displays the following: 39.45.100.22, that is your current
Public IP Address Types
Public IPs may be static, meaning they always remain the same, and/or dynamic, meaning they change occasionally, depending on your ISP subscription. A fixed IP is always the same: 103.25.77.5. A dynamic IP could change from 39.45.100.22 to some other number from day to day.
Conclusion
Public IP addresses are the identity of your network on the internet, which allows you to easily access websites. Without the public IP address, the data from the website wouldn’t have been delivered back through your network when you surf the internet.