Why should you give a Device an IP address?
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "IP address" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_address
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/IP_address.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question549.htm
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
Overly simplified answer: every device attached to a TCP/IP Network must have an IP Address. An IP Address is like your computer or device's phone number or mailing address. If you don't have a phone number, people with a telephone can't call you. If your device does not have an IP Address, nothing in the network can talk to it.
To give a device an IP address, you need to assign a unique identifier to that device on a network. An IP address serves as a way to communicate and identify devices within a network, just like a phone number or address helps in identifying people or physical locations.
Here are a few reasons why you should give a device an IP address:
1. Communication: An IP address allows devices to communicate with each other over a network. It enables data to be sent and received between devices, facilitating communication and sharing of information.
2. Network identification: With an IP address, a device can be easily identified and located within a network. This is important for troubleshooting, managing network resources, and ensuring proper connectivity.
3. Routing: IP addresses are used by routers to route data packets from one device to another across networks. Routers examine the IP address of the destination device to determine the appropriate path for the data to reach its destination.
4. Internet connectivity: IP addresses are essential for connecting devices to the internet. Each device that accesses the internet needs its own unique IP address to establish a connection and communicate with other devices on the internet.
To assign an IP address to a device, you can use several methods. The most common approach is to use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices on a network. DHCP allows for automatic IP address allocation without manual configuration.
Alternatively, you can manually assign a static IP address to a device. This involves manually configuring the IP address settings on the device, specifying a unique IP address that falls within the network's range.
In summary, giving a device an IP address is important for communication, network identification, routing, and internet connectivity. Whether using dynamic or static assignment, assigning an IP address ensures that the device can be identified and connected within a network.