IP address

An IP address is a unique number, like a telephone number, used by machines (usually computers) to refer to each other when sending information through the internet using the internet protocol. This allows machines passing the information onwards on behalf of the sender to know where to send it next, and for the machine receiving the information to know that it is the intended destination.

Internet Protocol versions
There are two internetwork layer protocols in use by the internet:
 * IPv4:The most widely-deployed protocol, limited to 32-bit (4-byte) addresses normally expressed as 4 groups of decimal digits (e.g. ).
 * IPv6:A new protocol with a 128-bit addressing scheme normally expressed as 8 groups of hexadecimal digits (e.g. ).

Adding a unique IP address
In some circumstances, it may be useful to add a unique IP address to a DreamHost-hosted domain. For example, a unique IP address is required in order to add Anonymous FTP to a domain. For an additional charge, you can click the "Add IP" next to any of the domains listed in Control Panel > Domains Control Panel > Manage Domains.