whats an IP address?

[Grille]

Originally posted by Xen
well, all this info is well and dandy- but it dosnet really answer the question...

well, now I know that "IP" stands for "internet protocall" but why?

As said, it's identifying your computer in a network (whether it's a small LAN or internet).
So the different parts (format of the number is aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd) have differerent pirorities, with aaa highest, for whole countries (or big companies IIRC) and ddd lowest (for single machines in a local network). Even with a non-static IP address, the aaa (maybe bbb) part is likely to be always the same anyways, so if you disallow access to your server by blocking aaa.xxx.xxx.xxx (where aaa is a constant number), you will disallow access for any user with that same aaa part (so CFC lights went out in Norway).

A clear identification is, of course, needed when connecting to another machine. If I wanted to upload a cool screen shot to CFC, I would want to put the file on TF's upload server and not to any randomly chosen machine

If you want to put up an internet server, you wouldn't be able to pick a totally self-made IP address (otherwise it'll be a giant mess-up), with the aaa part most likely being the same as your neighbour's. You'll surely be able to define the ddd and/or ccc part (identify networks/machines in a lower-case network).
However, in a LAN (w/o any connection to the world), you could theoretically have the whole number by your own choice.

If you have a FTP(="file transfer protocol"), telnet, r-login... whatever installed and your machine is connected to the world, one could get remote control over your machine by using the IP address (like -say- 123.456.789.123, or the IP related "real name" of your machine, like xens_comp.xens_home_network.xens_company.com ; note that the order of priority in the name address is a mirrored in comparison to IP).
Either legal access with an own account/password or illegal by sneaking in through a tiny hole...

To cut a long story short: compare with postal address or so.

 

[Paalikles]

Originally posted by Padma
That was a case where a user had a dynamic IP - his server assigns a new IP every time he logs on. He was creating DLs and spamming up the place with foul language and other nasty stuff. To block him, we had to ban his entire ISP, which was apparantly the most widely used in the country!

We kept the ban for as short a period as we dared; just long enough to convince him he wasn't going to be allowed back (we hope).

So that is what happened when I was banned for my first and only time.
That ISP is the largest one in the country - as it was the only telephone-line provider for many years (monopoly status courtesy of the Norwegian government), it had the best set up infrastructure to build/set up new services as they were introduced to the public. IIRC this ISP has 70% or something in market shares
Therefore I guess Norwegian CFC posters are especially vulnerable to IP-range bans

I ve read peoples definition of IP adresses, and learned something new today