What is 192.168.1.1?

What is 192.168.1.1? The need for the IPv4 Internet Protocol addresses arose from the shortage of publicly registered IP addresses when there was a sudden increase in the number of people getting connected to the Internet. 192.168.1.1 is a private IPv4 network address that is the default Internet Protocol or IP address of most home broadband users.

192.168.1.1

It was originally used by home broadband routers of the Linksys brand. However, now, it is used in a variety of home networking devices as well and so, network routers of any brand, computers or even local networks may be configured to use this IPv4 address. The thing to be kept in mind is that address conflicts are avoided by ensuring that only one device on the local network uses 192.168.1.1.

To access 192.168.1.1 IP address, a person just has to type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar of the web browser being used and either press enter from the keyboard or left-click the ‘Go’ button using the mouse.

Private IP addresses such as 192.168.1.1 can be used more than once in various different networks without the problem of creating network conflicts that are caused when the same IP address is shared by more than one computer. However, the disadvantage of such private addresses is that Internet routers block traffic moving on a private address and hence, the private IP address cannot be used for communication over the Internet. Even so, there is one major benefit arising from the lack of Internet connectivity. Private networks are immune to invasive malicious activities of remote users as outside networks cannot access the private network over the Internet.

In case of a need for communication with outside networks, which may arise at any time, there must be a mediating go-between gateway between the private network and the outside network. This ensures that the outside network gets hold of a “reachable” IP address using which it can communicate with the private network. Exchange of Internet traffic between the two connected networks must also be allowed by the routers. A proxy server or a Network Address Translation or NAT may serve as the go-between in such cases. However, there is one thing that should be noted by the administrators. In case the two networks wind up having a shared IP address among the computers of their clients, then conflict issues would arise and it would be difficult to establish communication between these two networks.

This guest article was written by Amit Bhawani (amitbhawani.com) who writes different What is Guides. You can also write a guest article and share your tips and tools.

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About the Author: P Chandra is editor of QOT, one of India's earliest tech bloggers since 2004. A tech enthusiast with expertise in coding, WordPress, web tools, SEO and DIY hacks.