What is the difference between Private and Public IP addresses?
A basic networking question defining address spaces and their usage.
Why Interviewers Ask This
Fundamental networking knowledge is required for almost all tech roles. This checks if you understand address allocation and NAT concepts.
How to Answer This Question
Define Private IPs as reserved for internal networks (RFC 1918) and not routable on the internet. Define Public IPs as globally unique and routable. Mention NAT as the bridge between them.
Key Points to Cover
- Internal vs. External scope
- RFC 1918 ranges
- Routability
- NAT usage
Sample Answer
Private IP addresses are reserved for use within private networks and are not routable on the public internet. Examples include ranges like 192.168.x.x. Public IP addresses are globally unique and assigned by ISPs, allow…
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing IPv4 with IPv6
- Thinking private IPs are public
- Ignoring NAT
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