Overview

---

Below you will find instructions showing how to find the IP address of a device.  You may need to find the IP address of your device to register your wired device to aid in identifying your device for troubleshooting purposes.

A IP address, which stands for internet protocol address, is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. There are two main versions in use which have different formats:

• IPv4 is often written as 1-3 digit values separated by periods (ex: 172.16.254.1)
• IPv6 is often written as 1-4 character values separated by colons (ex: 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1)

For most purposes at UCSD, the term "IP address" without a version number will refer to IPv4.

Devices are generally assigned either a public/external or private/internal/local IP address.

Public/External IP addresses are assigned to devices directly connecting to the internet, often a router, and is the IP address identifying most home networks to the rest of the internet; UCSD identifies devices connecting from non-UCSD networks via this IP address.

Private/Internal/Local IP addresses on the other hand, are assigned to devices within a local computer network; all devices connected to UCSD's network services are assigned a local IP address which can be used used to identify it.

On this page:

• Public IP Address
• Private IP Address: Computers
  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Linux/Unix
  • Chromebook
• Private IP Address: Mobile Devices
  • iPhone/iPad (iOS)
  • Android
     

Critical Concepts

---

• Every device that connects to a computer network is assigned an IP address unique to that network
• When requested for your IP address:
  
  • if using a non-UCSD network, provide your public IP address
  • if using a UCSD network, provide your private IP address

Steps to Take

---

Public IP Address

All devices

1. Go to the "what is my IP address" website
2. Both public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses should be listed on the site

Private IP Address: Computers

Windows

1. Click on the Start menu at the bottom left corner of your screen or press the Windows key
2. In the search box, type cmd
3. Press ENTER. This should open a window that says "Command Prompt"
4. In the command prompt type the following command then press ENTER
   

   ipconfig

5. This should print out information about the various network adapters on your device. The IPv4 and IPv6 information should be present below the connected adapter (all other adapters will show "Media Disconnected").
   
   

Mac

1. On top menu bar, click on Apple Icon > System Settings... 
2. Select Network option
3. Select the type of network adapter you are looking for, then continue with the corresponding steps:
   • Wireless
     1. Select Wi-Fi tab on the left 
     2. Click on Details... next to the currently connected network.
     3. The IP address should be listed
   • Ethernet (Wired)
     1. Select Ethernet tab on the left
     2. Click on Details... next to the currently connected network.
     3. The IP address should be listed
        
        

Linux/Unix

• In general, the following command should work to find the IP address of your Linux/Unix device:
  

  ifconfig

• However, each Linux/Unix operating system is different.  If this command does not work, check the user manual.

Chromebook

1. In the bottom right, click on the time
2. Click the Wi-Fi network icon
3. Click on the Network Information (i) button in the top right of the box
4. The IP Address should be listed on this page

Private IP Address: Mobile Devices

iPhone/iPad (iOS)

1. Select Settings from your home screen
2. Go to Wi-Fi then tap the Network Information (i) button next to the network name
3. Scroll down until you see IP Address
   
   

Android

Settings menus can vary across different Android devices. For the majority of cases, these steps should work:

1. Select Settings from the application menu
2. Go to About Device > Status
3. Scroll down and look for the IP Address