What type of address is an IP address?

An IP address is classified as a logical address used to identify a device within a network. This means that it is not tied to a physical device like a MAC address, but instead it is an assigned identifier that allows devices to communicate across various networks, particularly the Internet.

Logical addressing is essential for routing and delivering packets of data to the correct destination. Unlike physical addresses, which are tied to the hardware of a device (like a network interface card), IP addresses can be changed, allowing for greater flexibility in network management. This characteristic is critical in dynamic environments, where devices might frequently join or leave a network.

In contrast, a physical address is designed for identifying a device based on its hardware characteristics, and a temporary address assigned by a DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) refers to leases for IP addresses that devices can hold for a limited time. Lastly, permanent addresses stored in ROM (Read-Only Memory) refer to firmware addresses and are not applicable to the nature of IP addressing. Thus, identifying an IP address as a logical address is the most accurate characterization of its role in network communication.