Global IPinfo Glossary
Welcome to the IPinfo Glossary. Whether you're new to IP data or looking to refine your knowledge, this resource is designed to help you navigate key terms related to IP intelligence, networking, and geolocation. From ASN and IANA to VPN detection and IP range, our glossary provides explanations of useful terms and supporting resources to help you delve even deeper into the subject matter. Explore below to learn more about the data we work with and how it can empower your business.
A
Anonymized Data
Anonymized data refers to IP address information that has been modified to obscure a user's true IP address.
Anycast
Anycast is a networking technique that allows for multiple machines to share the same IP address. They don't have a single, fixed location.
AS
An autonomous system is a collection of IP address prefixes managed by a single organization or entity that follows a unified routing policy.
ASN
An Autonomous System Number is a unique identifier that represents a collection of IP prefixes. They play a crucial role in internet routing.
ASN Lookup
An ASN lookup is the process of identifying details associated with a specific Autonomous System Number (ASN), a unique identifier for a network or group of networks managed by a single entity with a unified routing policy.
B
BGP
Border Gateway Protocol is a protocol used to exchange routing information between different autonomous systems, allowing data to be routed over the internet.
BitTorrent
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol that distributes large files by splitting them into smaller pieces and transferring them between multiple participating devices.
Bogon
Bogon IP addresses refer to IP addresses that are not assigned to any entity by the IANA or RIRs. They're reserved for special purposes.
Bulk IP Lookup
Bulk IP lookup is a process that allows users to query multiple IP addresses simultaneously to retrieve detailed information about them.
C
CDN
A content delivery network (CDN) is a geographically distributed network of interconnected servers for improved site performance.
CIDR
Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) is an IP address allocation and routing method that improves the efficiency of IP address usage and internet routing.
Cloud
Cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data.
Crawler
A crawler (also known as a web crawler, spider, or bot) is an automated program that systematically browses the internet to discover, index, or extract content from websites.
D
DNS
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a naming system that translates domain names into numerical IP addresses.
DNS Lookup
DNS lookup resolves domain names to IP addresses, a core internet function and key to IPinfo's DNS services.
DNS Servers
DNS servers are computers that translate domain names into IP addresses (and sometimes vice versa), crucial for domain-to-IP mapping and relevant to IPinfo's DNS services.
Dynamic IP
A dynamic IP address is an IP address that can change over time and is reassigned periodically, unlike a static IP address that remains constant.
G
GeoDNS
GeoDNS (Geographic Domain Name System) is a DNS routing technique that directs users to different server endpoints based on their geographic location.
H
Hosting
Web hosting is an online service that enables individuals and organizations to publish their website or web application on the internet.
Hotspot
A hotspot is an internet access point, typically provided via Wi-Fi, that allows devices to connect to the internet through a shared network connection.
I
IANA
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority is a key organization responsible for ensuring the stable operation of the global internet.
Impossible Travel
Impossible travel refers to a scenario in which two or more login events from the same account occur in geographically distant locations within a time frame too short for legitimate physical travel between them.
IP Address
An internet protocol address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to a network and serves as the device's address.
IP Addressing
IP addressing is the system used to assign unique identifiers to devices on a network, whether that network is local or connected to the internet.
IP Data APIs
IP Data APIs provide structured metadata about IP addresses, such as geolocation, network ownership, privacy status, and other contextual information, in real time.
IP Geolocation
IP geolocation is the general physical location of a device or user based on their IP address, mapping the IP address to a specific location.
IP Lookup
IP Lookup is the process of querying an IP address to gather detailed information about it, such as its geolocation , associated ISP, and more.
IP Range
An IP range refers to a block of IP addresses that are grouped together and assigned for specific purposes, such as for use within an ISP.
IP Targeting
IP targeting is a technique used to deliver specific content, ads, or services to users based on their IP geolocation or other association.
IP Threat Intelligence
IP threat intelligence refers to the collection, analysis, and application of data about IP addresses that are associated with malicious activities.
IPinfo Tools
IPinfo Tools are web-based utilities and developer resources that allow users to explore, test, and integrate IP address data, including geolocation, network ownership, and privacy detection.
IPv4
IPv4 is the internet protocol address type most widely used for identifying devices on a network. IPv4 uses a 32-bit address system.
IPv6
IPv6 is the most recent type of internet protocol (IP) address, designed to replace IPv4 due to the exhaustion of available IPv4 addresses.
IXP (Internet Exchange Point)
An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is a physical or virtual infrastructure that allows multiple networks to exchange traffic directly rather than routing it through third-party networks.
L
LIR
A Local Internet Registry is an organization that receives and manages IP address allocations from a Regional Internet Registry.
M
Mail Server
A mail server is a computer system or application that sends, receives, and stores email for users, using standardized email transfer protocols such as SMTP, IMAP, or POP3.
MaxMind DB
MaxMind DB is a binary database format developed by MaxMind for storing and querying IP geolocation and related metadata.
MMDB File Format
The MMDB file format is a binary database format used to store and query large-scale IP geolocation and network data efficiently.
mmdbctl Tool
The mmdbctl tool is a command-line utility for inspecting, querying, and converting MaxMind DB (MMDB) format files, such as those used for IP geolocation databases.
Mobile
In the context of IP data, "mobile" refers to internet connections delivered over cellular networks rather than fixed-line broadband or dedicated enterprise infrastructure.
N
Nameserver
A nameserver is a server that stores and responds to queries about domain name records, translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses through the Domain Name System (DNS).
P
Portscan
A portscan is a method used to detect open ports and services on a networked device by systematically sending connection requests to a range of ports.
Privacy Detection Data
Privacy detection data refers to identifying IP addresses associated with privacy-enhancing tools, which can be used to commit fraud.
Proxy Detection
Proxy detection refers to identifying IP addresses that are using proxies to mask their true location through an intermediary.
Proxy Servers
A proxy server is an intermediary between a user's device and the internet that forwards requests and responses on behalf of the user.
Public IP Address
A public IP address is an IP address that is directly accessible over the internet and assigned to a device or network by an ISP.
R
Referral WHOIS (RWHOIS)
Referral WHOIS is an extension of the WHOIS protocol designed to allow distributed access to domain and IP address registration data.
Regional Internet Registry (RIR)
A Regional Internet Registry is an organization that is responsible for managing and distributing IP address space within a specific region.
Relay
In the context of IP data, a relay is a networked system that forwards internet traffic on behalf of another device, masking the original source.
Residential Proxy Network
A residential proxy network is a type of proxy network that routes internet traffic through real residential IP addresses.
Resolver
A resolver is a Domain Name System (DNS) service that receives a domain name query from a client and returns the corresponding IP address, enabling the client to connect to the requested resource.
Reverse DNS Lookup
Reverse DNS lookup allows an organization that owns IP addresses to give names to them.
Reverse IP Lookup
A reverse IP lookup is a process that allows you to determine the domain names associated with a specific IP address.
Round Trip Time (RTT)
Round Trip Time refers to the total time it takes for a data packet to travel from its source to a destination and back again.
Router
A router is a networking device that directs data packets between different networks, determining the optimal path for traffic to reach its destination.
S
Satellite
In the context of IP data, "satellite" refers to internet connections delivered via communications satellites, typically used in areas where terrestrial broadband infrastructure is unavailable or limited.
SSH
Secure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol used to securely access and manage remote systems over an unsecured network.
Static IP
Static IP addresses are fixed and remain the same. They are manually assigned to a device or network, unlike dynamic IP addresses.
T
Tor
Tor is a free, open-source software that enables anonymous communication on the internet by routing internet traffic through a network of servers.
Traceroute
Traceroute is a network diagnostic tool that displays the path (the sequence of routers) that network packets traverse to reach a specified destination.
V
VPN
A Virtual Private Network is a service that establishes a secure and encrypted connection between a user's device and a remote server.
VPN Detection
VPN detection refers to the process of identifying whether a specific IP address is associated with a Virtual Private Network.
W
Web Server
A web server is software or hardware that delivers web content over the internet using the HTTP or HTTPS protocols.
WHOIS
WHOIS is a query and response protocol used to retrieve information about the ownership and registration of domain names, IP addresses, and more.