====== IPWhois Wiki: Your Guide to IP Addresses and Networking Concepts ======
Welcome to the IPWhois Wiki, powered by DokuWiki and integrated with [[https://ipwhois.net|IPWhois.net]] – a free resource for IP lookup, domain, ASN details, and more. This wiki explains key networking terms and concepts in simple, clear language. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, explore topics like IPv4, IPv6, ASN, geolocation, and beyond. Use the sections below to navigate articles on fundamentals, registries, and advanced ideas. For real-time lookups, check out [[https://ipwhois.net/ip-lookup|IP Lookup]] or [[https://ipwhois.net/what-is-my-ip-address|What is My IP]].
==== Core IP Concepts ====
Get started with the basics of IP addressing and related terms.
[[ip-address|IP Address]]
An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
[[ipv4|IPv4]]
IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, using 32-bit addresses to identify devices on the internet.
[[ipv6|IPv6]]
IPv6 is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol, designed to deal with the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses by using 128-bit addresses.
[[asn|ASN (Autonomous System Number)]]
An ASN is a unique number assigned to an autonomous system, which is a collection of IP networks under the control of a single organization.
[[domain|Domain]]
A domain is a human-readable address used to identify resources on the internet, which resolves to an IP address via DNS.
[[isp|ISP (Internet Service Provider)]]
An ISP is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the internet.
[[organization|Organization]]
In IP context, organization refers to the entity that owns or manages a block of IP addresses.
[[geolocation|Geolocation]]
IP geolocation is the process of determining the physical location of a device based on its IP address.
[[network|Network Information]]
Network information includes details about the IP range, type, and configuration of a network.
[[public-ip|Public IP Addresses]]
Public IP addresses are globally routable and unique across the internet, used for direct communication.
[[private-ip|Private IP Addresses]]
Private IP addresses are reserved for internal use within private networks and are not routable on the public internet.
[[dynamic-ip|Dynamic IPs]]
Dynamic IPs are IP addresses that are assigned temporarily and can change over time, typically via DHCP.
[[static-ip|Static IPs]]
Static IPs are fixed IP addresses assigned to a device permanently, often used for servers.
[[inetnum|Inetnum]]
Inetnum is a field in WHOIS databases that specifies the range of IP addresses allocated.
[[netname|Netname]]
Netname is a descriptive name assigned to a network block in IP allocation records.
[[assigned-pa|ASSIGNED PA]]
ASSIGNED PA indicates that the IP addresses are assigned as portable addresses to an end-user.
==== IP Registries ====
Learn about regional internet registries that manage IP allocations.
[[rir|RIR (Regional Internet Registry)]]
RIRs are organizations responsible for allocating IP addresses and ASNs within specific geographic regions.
[[ripe|RIPE]]
RIPE is the Regional Internet Registry for Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.
[[arin|ARIN]]
ARIN is the Regional Internet Registry for the United States, Canada, and many Caribbean and North Atlantic islands.
[[apnic|APNIC]]
APNIC is the Regional Internet Registry for the Asia-Pacific region.
[[lacnic|LACNIC]]
LACNIC is the Regional Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean.
[[afrinic|AFRINIC]]
AFRINIC is the Regional Internet Registry for Africa.
[[address-databases|Address Databases]]
Address databases are repositories that store information about IP address allocations and registrations.
==== Contacts and Reporting ====
Details on contacts associated with IP allocations.
[[abuse-contacts|Abuse Reporting Contacts]]
Abuse contacts are designated for reporting misuse or spam originating from an IP address.
[[administrative-contacts|Administrative Contacts]]
Administrative contacts handle administrative matters related to IP allocations.
[[technical-contacts|Technical Contacts]]
Technical contacts manage technical aspects and issues for IP networks.
==== Anonymity and Security ====
Tools and concepts for protecting IP information.
[[vpn|VPN]]
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure connection over the internet, hiding your real IP address.
[[proxy|Proxy]]
A proxy server acts as an intermediary for requests, masking your IP address from the destination.
==== Advanced Networking Concepts ====
Deeper topics in IP management and routing.
[[country|Country]]
In IP geolocation, country refers to the nation associated with an IP address's location.
[[city|City]]
City in IP context is the urban area determined from geolocation data.
[[coordinates|Coordinates]]
Coordinates are the latitude and longitude pinpointing an IP's approximate location.
[[allocation-dates|Allocation Dates]]
Allocation dates indicate when an IP block was assigned by a registry.
[[peering-relationships|Peering Relationships]]
Peering relationships are direct interconnections between autonomous systems for efficient data exchange.
[[routing-efficiency|Routing Efficiency]]
Routing efficiency measures how optimally data packets travel across networks.