A public IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a device or network that is directly accessible over the internet. Unlike private IP addresses, which are used within local networks and are not routable on the internet, public IP addresses allow devices to communicate with other systems globally.
Public IP addresses are essential for hosting websites, running servers, or accessing services from outside a local network. They are typically provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and can be static (unchanging) or dynamic (changing periodically).
Example:
If you host a website on a server, the server must have a public IP address so users worldwide can access it. For instance, when you type "www.example.com" into a browser, the domain resolves to the website's public IP address, allowing data exchange between your device and the server.
In cloud computing, services like Tencent Cloud's Elastic IP (EIP) allow users to assign a static public IP to their cloud resources, ensuring consistent accessibility. This is useful for hosting applications, databases, or APIs that require a fixed address for external connections.