Think it through together · A little story
Two homes both give a computer the address 192.168.1.10. Why does the network not necessarily get confused?
Lay out the process
- Home AIts own private address
- Home BCan reuse the same number
- Public internet communicationHandled at each network’s exit
Private addresses are used within their own local networks and are not global routing addresses on the public internet.
Public addresses are used for addressing on public networks. Many homes use mechanisms such as NAT so several devices with private addresses can share an external IPv4 connection. It is like having a room 101 inside each building.
Public addresses may also be shared at the internet provider’s network, and not every home has the same setup at its exit.
Your turn to try
If you know a friend’s computer at home has the address 192.168.1.10, can you connect to it directly from another city?
Have you thought it through? Open for an explanation
Usually not. That address is used inside your friend’s local network. A suitable connection and access arrangement would also be needed.
Take away one discovery
Private addresses are used within their own local networks and are not global routing addresses on the public internet.
Try covering the diagram above and explaining each step to someone in your family. If one step is hard to explain, go back and look at that card again.