[Glossary] What is an IP address?

What is an IP address?

An IP address is information that acts like an "address" used to identify devices on the internet or a corporate network.
Every device that communicates over the network — such as PCs and routers connected to a corporate network — has one.
As a result, IP addresses are widely used as a general security measure.

Examples of common security measures using IP addresses

Source IP Restrictions (IP access control)

Access is permitted only from the IP addresses of the corporate network or specific locations, and all other access is blocked.
This is a method commonly used with SaaS services and VPNs.

Access log monitoring and analysis

IP addresses recorded in the access logs of systems and web services are regularly monitored to detect unauthorized access from overseas and similar threats.
The Teachme series also uses this for access log monitoring.

Firewall allow/deny settings

Rules are set on a per-IP-address basis in the firewalls of servers and network devices to block suspicious access.

Basic structure of IP addresses

Currently, IP addresses are used in two structural types: IPv4 addresses and IPv6 addresses.

　Examples:
　IPv4 address (32-bit): 10.0.0.1, 192.168.1.1
　IPv6 address (128-bit): fe80::1, 2001:db8::1

The IP Restrictions feature in the Teachme series supports IPv4 addresses only.

Global IP and Private IP (Local IP)

There are two types of IP addresses: global IP and private IP.
The main difference between the two lies in their access scope.

Global IP

A public IP address that is uniquely identified on the internet, functioning like an address usable across the entire internet. It can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

Private IP (Local IP)

Information that functions like an address usable only within a limited network, such as a home or corporate local network. It is an internal IP address and cannot be accessed directly from the internet.

Supplementary information: Static (fixed) IP vs. dynamic IP

There are two types of IP addresses: static IP addresses, which are always assigned the same global IP, and dynamic IP addresses, which change each time a connection is made. Static IPs make it easy to identify the connection source for IP Restrictions and allow stable access, so they are used for the purpose of limiting access to specific locations or users.
If you are using mobile communication (SIM network) or a home network, the global IP address is often dynamic, meaning it changes with every connection.
As a result, if IP Restrictions are configured, access may be blocked.

How to check your IP address

You can check your current connection's global IP address at the following site.

　Teachme Biz Usage Environment Diagnosis Page
　https://teachme.jp/diagnosis

The number listed under Request information > 4. Current IP address in the image is the IP address you are currently using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. We access from multiple locations within the company. What happens with the IP address?
A. Different global IP addresses may be assigned to each location. Please look up the IP address for each location as needed.

Q. How do I set up IP Restrictions in the Teachme series?
A. Configure the IP address restriction from the Settings Center and register the global IP addresses you want to allow.
　In addition, if you are using Teachme Biz, you can also apply IP Restrictions to folders.

For more details, please refer to the applicable manual.

Related:
Set / Remove IP Access Restrictions (Web Browser)
https://teachme.jp/8/manuals/51167155
[Teachme] Set up IP restriction for Group-shared folder (Web Browser)
https://teachme.jp/8/manuals/9117240

Summary

Understanding and managing IP addresses is important for security measures, troubleshooting, and operational control.
If you have any questions about the details or configuration of the IP Restrictions feature in the Teachme series, please Contact Teachme series support.