An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label that is assigned to any device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes.

In other words, it is an address that is assigned to any device that is connected to a network that follows the Internet Protocol, i.e. the Internet. An IP address serves two principal functions;.. host or network interface identification and location addressing. Its role has been characterized as follows: "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how to get there.