Every device connected to the Internet is assigned a number known as an Internet protocol (IP) address. Like the street address for your home, an IP address identifies network computers. It helps traffic flow between computers because each one has its own IP address.
An IP address is formatted as a series of four values separated by periods: 192.168.0.1. IP is often prefixed by the acronym TCP, as in TCP/IP. The TCP part stands for Transfer Control Protocol: It’s simply a set of rules for transmitting information on a network. Technically, TCP/IP refers to the methods and engineering as opposed to a specific address or value.
An IP address can often be used to identify the general location from which a device is connecting to the Internet.