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Each and every server on the internet is assigned with a unique number which is called an IP or Internet Protocol address. In simple words, it is more of an identity; like for example a telephone number in order to access files or pages on the internet. The IP address is 4 bytes (32 bits). Each byte is known as an octet and can have a value between 0 and 255, so IP addresses are written in the form of 123.123.123.123

Theoretically, IP addresses of 32 bits allow for more than 4 billion unique addresses. However, practically this number is lesser. A few ranges are reserved for special purposes; hence the number of available IP addresses is limited. In order to come over this limitation, web sites use shared hosting or virtual servers. Shared hosting gives the advantage of hosting several sites on the same server, rather than hosting just one web site from one server. Now each of these sites has the same IP address and is identified by their unique domain name. For e.g; hostgator.com

With the introduction of version 6, the number of IP addresses will be expanded. The current version that is used is version 4 of the Internet Protocol. IPv6 has IP addresses which are 128 bits wide. This introduction of IPv6 will offer an unlimited number of unique addresses. However, this technology is time intensive and may take many years to be implemented as the entire internet infrastructure needs to be upgraded for this purpose and involves huge expenses as well.

A unique IP address is needed for each personal computer to be connected to the internet. Now rather than assigning a unique IP address to each personal computer, internet providers use a convenient system called “dynamic addresses“. So when the user connects to the internet either through a dial-up or a DSL; the user is assigned a different IP address.

Thus far you have lapped up enough information that a web hosting company helps you host your website. You may now be wondering whether you can somehow host a site on your home computer. However, this is done by using dynamic IP addresses. Dynamic addresses make it difficult to host a web site from home. Therefore, in order for people to find your site, you need to constantly notify them of the current IP address of your website. The dynamic DNS services allow you to assign a domain name to a site with a dynamic IP address. Each time you are assigned a new address your computer automatically notifies the service, which in turn updates its DNS (Domain Name Server).

If you are planning to launch your own website then hosting it from your home computer may not exactly be the perfect idea. A few parameters may need to be looked into like your internet connection speed. So in case your web pages have heavy graphics then probability is that with a low connection speed, the pages will take longer to load as compared to the services provided by hosting companies which offer a higher connection speed. Hence if you are looking for just a small quantity of visitors to your website, only then should you consider hosting your website from your home computer. Dynamic DNS is available as either a free or as a subscription service.

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