A computer network connects a number of computers or technical devices together. In order to establish effective communication between them, what comes to play, is the Internet Protocol (IP).This protocol lays down the governing rules to carry the message to be communicated. To uniquely identify a system on this network, an interface-recognisable numerical label is assigned. It also provides the location of a system on the network. Although IP-addresses are stored internally in binary format, to the human users they are displayed as for blocks of 3-digit no’s separated by ‘.’ The numbers’ range between 0-256.For e.g., 203.86.200.189.This is an easy process that can be carried out both either a Mac or PC.
On Windows XP/Vista/7
- Open Start Menu. The “Start” menu that is found in the lower left corner of your desktop.
- Click on the Windows logo to open the Start menu, and find the “All Programs” option and choose it.
- Access Accessories: From “All Programs,” go to “Accessories” and then click the option “Command Prompt.”
- Find IP. A black box will appear. Type in “ipconfig” and press enter. The box will reappear or refresh, and display your IP address—other information may appear like your DNS address and more.
On Mac
- Open Apple. Go to the Apple menu (apple icon) in the top left screen of your desktop, click it and then go to “System Preferences.”
- Open Network Icon. Once System Preferences is open, go to the “Network Icon” and click on it.
- Find IP Address. You should see your IP address under the method through which you are connected to the internet, i.e. by the Airport or by Ethernet.
