IP Addresses: The Quick VersionFirst, 192.168.0.1 is an example of an IP (internet protocol) address. The internet is a vast computer network that routes trillions and trillions of data bits around. Those packets have to be sent around in an orderly fashion, which requires a strict set of rules. This set of rules (or “protocol”) is known as TCP/IP. That’s short for Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP breaks down information (such as a JPEG or an email) into small uniform packets. These packets are like postage envelopes. There’s a destination and origin address on each one. Every time the packet passes through a network router, it’s sent on its way, getting closer to its final destination with each hop.The number 192.168.0.1 is an example of that address format. In short, it’s the address of your router on the network. Any packets with that address go to the router directly.Private vs. Public IP AddressesHere’s where it gets tricky. The address 192.168.0.1 is one of two addresses assigned to your router. All local devices connected to the router via WiFi or Ethernet see that address, but the router IP address is entirely different on the internet-facing side of the router. Network Address TranslationSo, if all of your devices are connected to the router but only have one public IP address, how does it know which device on the local network should get which packet? That’s the entire purpose of a router, to make sure that packets are routed to the correct place.When routing packets arrive at their public IP address, the router uses a Network Address Translation (NAT) table to record which local device the packet is meant for. So if a laptop on 192.168.0.2 requested data from a website, that would have been noted in the record and sent to the correct private IP address.Why 192.168.0.1 in Particular?That’s all good and well, but why 192.168.0.1 in particular? The exact reason is complicated, but the most crucial explanation is that internet IP addresses are limited. Like a combination lock, there are only a limited number of unique IPs for use on the internet.To ensure that IP addresses are used efficiently, ranges of them are reserved for different uses. There are five classes of IP address range, going from A to E. Only Classes A, B and C have private IP address ranges that are reserved for internal network use, not facing the internet at large.