IPv4

What is IPv4?

If you’ve ever gone online (and you’ve definitely done so), you’ve already encountered IPv4. Maybe not directly, maybe not consciously — but this protocol was behind every click, every YouTube video, every website load.

IPv4 is not “something technical for IT guys”. It’s the foundation of how the internet works. How computers find each other, exchange data, and don’t get lost in the global network.

We’ll explore what it is, how it works, where it came from, why the “end of addresses” problem exists, and what’s next. Without jargon or complex formulas, we’ll focus on the essence, provide examples, and touch upon a bit of history.

Why Do We Need an IP Address?

Imagine a mail system without addresses. You want to send an email, but you don’t specify where to send it. What happens? It doesn’t reach its destination.

The internet is the same way. Every computer, phone, router, printer, and even a smart light bulb, if it’s connected to the internet, needs a unique address. This address is known as an IP address.

IP stands for Internet Protocol address. It’s an address that the internet can understand. Without it, data packets won’t reach their intended recipients.

What Is The Difference Between IP And IPv4?

IPv4 is the fourth version of the IP protocol. The first is working, massive, and still the most used.

That is:

• IP is a protocol (as a communication standard);
• IPv4 is one of the versions of this protocol.

There is also IPv6, which we will talk about towards the end, but for now we are interested in the good old IPv4, because it is the engine of the modern Internet.

What Does an IPv4 Address Look Like

You’ve probably seen lines like:

• 192.168.0.1
• 8.8.8.8
• 123.45.67.89

This is IPv4. It consists of four numbers from 0 to 255, separated by dots. Each number is a byte, and there are four such blocks. This makes up 32 bits (4 x 8).

Inside the computer, this is converted into binary code, but for humans, it is presented in the familiar “dot” format.

Why is IPv4 So Important

It is simple. It is reliable. It has been in use since 1981 and still accounts for the majority of global traffic.

IPv4 is used in:

• every home router;
• public DNS servers (such as Google’s 8.8.8.8);
• website addressing;
• game servers;
• video surveillance;
• any Wi-Fi connection.

It’s how the browser knows where to pull the HTML page, and how your laptop knows where to send the Zoom video stream.

How Many Addresses Can IPv4 Contain

This is where it gets interesting. IPv4 has a total of 2³² possible addresses. That’s approximately 4.29 billion. Does that sound like a lot? In the 1980s, it was. But already in the early 2000s, it became clear: this is not enough.

Every device connected to the Internet must have an IP. And now remember:

• there are more than 5 billion Internet users in the world;
• everyone has several devices (phone, laptop, TV, smart speaker);
• plus servers, cameras, smart home networks, cars and even refrigerators.

Addresses were not enough. The network faced a shortage as early as 2011. And we still “juggling” them to not collapse.

Why the Addresses Did Not End Completely

Engineers foresaw this problem and came up with workarounds.

Private IP-Networks

Devices in a local network can use the same “internal” addresses. For example:

• 192.168.0.1
• 10.0.0.1
• 172.16.0.1

These are not global addresses. These IPs work within a Wi-Fi network or office, without going directly to the Internet.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

A technology that allows dozens (or thousands) of devices to use a single external IP.

How does it work?

• All devices in the house are connected to the router.
• The router is connected to the provider.
• One IP goes to the Internet on behalf of all.

Thus, one address “masks” many internal. This is one of the ways how we still hold on to IPv4.

Example With NAT Life

You, your brother and mom – sit at home, watch videos, play, text. Everyone has their own phone. But in the outside world, everyone has the same IP. How? Because the router does NAT. It’s like a secretary who receives mail, sorts it, and sends it back.

Types of IPv4 Addresses

IPv4 is not just a “number.” It has roles and purposes.

1. Public (Public IP), issued by the provider. Visible on the internet. They are used to connect “from the outside”. For example, for a game server or a website.
2. Private (Private IP), they work within a network. Examples:
   192.168.x.x
   10.x.x.x
   172.16–31.x.x
3. Static fixed addresses. The device always receives the same IP. This is convenient for servers.
4. Dynamic, issued temporarily. Each new connection – a new address. Work through DHCP.

Why Static And Dynamic IPs Are Needed

A static IP is useful if:

• you host a server (game, mail, file);
• you need a remote SSH connection;
• stability is required.

Dynamic – optimal for an ordinary user:

• cheaper;
• safer (harder to trace);
• easier to administer.

DHCP Protocol is like automatic number distribution. When you connect to Wi-Fi, the DHCP server gives you an IP automatically. Without it, you’d have to set everything up manually. No one wants to do that.

IPv4 And Security

It’s important to understand that an IP address is like a house address. If it’s known, people can come to you.

 That’s why it’s crucial to:

• use NAT and firewalls;
• avoid opening ports to everything;
• hide your IP when surfing (via VPN or proxy);
• avoid static public IPs unless necessary.

What Are Subnet And Subnet Mask?

When people talk about IP, they often mention a subnet mask (for example, /24). This is just a way to divide a network into parts.

 For example:

• You have a network with the address 192.168.1.0/24
• This means that the network can accommodate up to 256 devices
• This is useful for home networks, offices, and small businesses.

This approach helps to organize traffic and reduce congestion.

Why Still Use IPv4 Instead of IPv6

IPv6 is the future. There are 2¹²⁸ addresses there (this number is so huge that it’s hard to even imagine). There are no NAT problems, everything is simpler and more powerful.

 But the problem is that:

• not all equipment supports IPv6;
• many services have not yet switched to it;
• it is expensive and difficult for providers and companies to migrate.

For a deeper comparison you can read our “IPv4 vs IPv6: What’s the Difference” article.

Therefore, IPv4 is still alive. Moreover, it is in active combat.

What Lies Ahead in the Future

IPv4 will not disappear tomorrow. It is likely to coexist with IPv6 for many years to come. We are already living in a “dual stack” environment, where devices and websites operate on both protocols.

However, the demand for IPv4 addresses is increasing. They are being resold for money, and some providers are leasing blocks from others. It’s like real estate, but in the digital world.

How to Find Your IP

It’s very simple:

• Visit whatismyip.com or simply Google “my IP”
• If you want to find your local IP, open a command prompt (or terminal) and enter:
• On Windows: ipconfig
• On Mac/Linux: ifconfig or ip a

How IPv4 is Used in Everyday Life

Every day, unnoticed, IPv4 is involved in:

• loading websites
• Zoom calls
• watching Netflix
• downloading apps
• connecting to game servers
• transferring data to the cloud
• sending emails
• and even turning on lights by voice

This is an invisible mechanism, without which everything will simply stop working.

Where is Multilogin: Managing Identities and IPv4 on the Modern Internet?

If you’ve ever tried to manage multiple accounts in a single system, whether it’s social media, web services, marketplaces, or administration panels, you’ll know how quickly things can get complicated. Browsers track you using cookies, IP addresses, and fingerprints. One extra login can lead to confusion, blocking, or suspicion.

This is where Multilogin comes in, a tool designed for those who work with multiple profiles on the internet but want to remain invisible and structured.

 From an IPv4 perspective, Multilogin is particularly useful because:

• It allows each profile to use a different IP address, including IPv4;
• You can configure a proxy for each virtual browser, as if it were a separate computer;
• This enables you to test, analyze, or manage multiple accounts without leaving a digital footprint.

In practice: you create 5 profiles, assign a unique IPv4 to each (via a residential or mobile proxy) — and work peacefully. Without gluing, without the “multi-account” flag.

This approach is important not only for marketers or researchers. It is increasingly used in the field of cybersecurity, analytics, fraud control, and even just for comfortable surfing without being tied to a single IP.

In a world where IPv4 is a digital fingerprint, Multilogin is the tool that helps you change your “gloves” quickly, conveniently, and securely.