What is an Ip Address?
Every expedient that is linked to a network, together with the Internet, has an Internet Protocol (Ip) address. The Internet Protocol defines a proper digital formula that is used by computer devices to describe with each other. These devices describe by delivering and receiving datagrams, called data packets, from the source expedient to the destination expedient and vice versa over a network. Each expedient has a unique Ip address that allows devices to find each other on a network and to transfer data packets.
Networks can be created using telephone lines, cell phones, cable Tv, Ethernet cables, and with wireless routers. Routers are used to assign temporary Ip addresses to devices linked to the local area network the router controls and to "route" data packets around a network to the accurate devices. Some routers have extra features such as encryption of data packets, data packet error correction, and wireless access.
Internet Protocol version 4 (Ipv4) defines 32-bit Ip addresses is made up by of a group of four numbers fluctuating from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. This equates to about 4 billion Ip addresses. A 128-bit version of the Internet Protocol called Ipv6 has been developed that will allow for many more addresses if Ip addresses run out with Ipv4.
How to use a Wireless Router Ip Address
All wireless routers have one Internet Protocol (Ip) address that is used as the address for the local area network (Lan) and one that is used for an external wide area network (Wan) relationship such as the Internet. Internal (Lan) Ip addresses are commonly pre-set to the router manufacturer's factory default Ip address. When you enter the router's Ip address into your web browser as a http ask (for example http://192.168.1.245 for a Linksys router), the browser will send a ask to your router to open the router's default management page so you can way the router's settings.
How to find your Wireless Router Ip Address
The first place to check is in the wireless router's user manual. If you don't have a user manual or can't find it, you can try visiting the manufacturer's website and quest for the default Ip address there. Alternatively, associate your wireless router with its Ethernet cable to your computer and power up and start both devices. If you are running a Windows operating theory such as Windows Xp or Vista, bring up the Command Prompt window (Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt) and type the word "ipconfig" without the quotes at the prompt and press enter. You should see a list of Ip addresses and the one that is listed next to the "Default Gateway" is the Ip address of the wireless router you have linked to your computer. Next open your web browser and type in the http ask using that same Ip address and you should see the router's management page where you can log in (the user manual will also have the default username and password for the router's management page) to change the router's settings.
Wireless router manufacturer's can use dissimilar factory pre-set Ip addresses for dissimilar model routers they manufacture. The factory pre-set Ip address is commonly stored in the firmware of the router. So if you can not get into your router's management page you may need to try one of the other Ip addresses the manufacturer uses with other models in case the firmware was upgraded after the publication date of the user manual. For a list of tasteless Ip addresses used by router Manufactures, visit the best wireless router website.