A private IPv4 address is a non-internet-facing IP address used within an internal network, such as a residential, office, or enterprise network. It is provided by network devices, like routers, using network address translation.
Private IP addresses are used for local area networks and are not directly accessible over the public internet.
They are commonly assigned within the following ranges:
– Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
– Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
– Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255.
Private IP addresses are used to establish a network connection in enterprises, offices, or residential areas, allowing devices within the network to communicate without being directly connected to the internet. They provide an extra layer of security as they are not visible outside the private network, unlike public IP addresses.