15.11.2 Why Do Computers Need IP Addresses?
Describes why logical IP addresses are required in addition to MAC addresses, how IP addresses identify both networks and hosts, and why hierarchical addressing is essential for Internet-scale communication.
- What Is an IP Address?
- Why Isn't a Device Name Enough?
- Why Can't Computers Use MAC Addresses?
- How Is an IP Address Different from a MAC Address?
- What Does "Hierarchical Addressing" Mean?
- How Do Routers Use IP Addresses?
- Why Are There Two Versions of IP?
- What Is Network Address Translation?
- How Does an IP Address Reach the Correct Computer?
- Will IPv4 Eventually Disappear?
- Why Are IP Addresses So Important?
- What Should You Remember?