Definition
A private IP is an address that a router assigns to your device. It enables devices on the same network to communicate with each other without going through the Internet. Using a private IP address improves network security by preventing unauthorized users or hosts from accessing the network.
Private IP Address Specifications
- Connects networked devices.
- Its primary focus is the projects and tasks within the local network.
- Facilitates internal communications between devices within a private network.
- Provide an extra security layer by isolating internal network traffic.
- Private IP addresses can be assigned automatically using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or manually (static IP).
- Free for everyone to use.
Private IP Address Benefits
- Security: Since private IP addresses are not accessible directly from the internet, they reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and unauthorized access.
- Scalability: Private IP address ranges provide sufficient space for networks of all sizes, accommodating the expansion of devices and services within an organization.
- Flexibility: Network administrators have complete control over private IP address management, enabling efficient resource allocation and customization of network configurations.
Limitations of Private IP Addresses
- Limited accessibility: Private IP addresses are unavailable from the general public internet.
- NAT overhead: Network address translation (NAT) must be employed to enable the exchange of information between public and private internet addresses. This introduces overhead regarding latency, processing energy, and complexity, especially in big-scale deployments.