A temporary numeric identification assigned to a node in a TCP/IP network. When computers and devices in the network are turned on, they are assigned an IP address by a DHCP server.
ISPs typically assign dynamic addresses to the Internet connections of their residential and small business customers, which are less expensive than static addresses. That means the IP address to the outside world in a cable or DSL modem may change every month, every day or even every hour (see DDNS). Contrast with static IP address. See IP address and DHCP.
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