External IP vs Internal IP

External (Public) IP

• Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns you an external IP address when you connect to the Internet.
• When your web browser requests a webpage, it sends this IP address along with it.
• Your ISP uses this to know which of its customers are requesting which webpage. Also, any website that you visit will have access to this IP address.

Internal (Private) IP

• If your computer is connected to a router with default settings, that router will automatically assign a local IP address to your computer.
• Your local IP address is hidden from the outside world and used only inside your private network.

• The below figure shows the Internal IP and External IP address.

External IP vs Internal IP

External IP Address	Internal IP Address
Connected with the internet network	Connected with a LAN
Publicly registered with Network Information Center	Is not registered with Network Information Center
Requires Modem to connect with a network	Requires Router to connect with a network
Assigned by your ISP	Assigned by user or router