Talk:IP address

I would think that this page should be oriented towards Linux, being that this is a Linux Questions wiki and all.

If we want to talk about IP addresses themselves, I would think Wikipedia would be the better place.

Other stuff:

Loopback addresses are used for programs that need to talk with other programs that are running on the same computer.

The non-routable addresses are used for programs that need to talk with other programs that are running on the same network segment.

IPv6 adds a new class of non-routable addresses that are called (I believe) "site-local," which can cross network segments, but won't route past the organization's LAN, however it's configured.

These are security features that make it so you don't expose whatever it is you don't want to expose. Sort of like how the Linux kernel and CPU make sure that processes run in their own memory and their own time.

But regardless: I would think this page would be more about IP addresses *on Linux.* For general information and talk about IP addresses, I would think that Wikipedia would be the place to link, no?

-- LionKimbro

Well, more information on how IP addresses relate to Linux would come in handy. 'Fraid I don't know anything about it though! I do know a few things about how IPv4 networking works, on account of a Cisco administrator certification class. (I flunked the exam. Twice.) But I took that class back when they were still working out the bugs in IPv6, so my classes didn't cover it. The way I see it, IP in general ought to be in a Linux wiki because Linux can be used as a router OS. (A Cisco router is essentially a stripped down and specialized Unix computer.)

A Wikipedia link would be good, and I'd add it in if I weren't busy with something else. But it would be a good thing to put as much vaguely-on-topic general information in this wiki. Firstly, it gives something for someone with more Linux-specific knowledge to build on. Secondly, it means that users of this wiki don't have to leave the wiki for information they need. Thirdly, the Wikipedia and the LQwiki are using incompatible licenses. Putting as much original basic material in that isn't really offtopic cuts down on the chances of contamination of Wikipedia material getting put in here, or LQwiki material being put in the Wikipedia. Someone might think it isn't that offtopic, and simply cut-and-paste, not knowing about the license problem. Additionally, if someone makes a Creative Commons-based general purpose wiki, they could use us as a resource.

If you find some information in an article that you think is offtopic, take it out. (But you might want to let it slide if you see someone putting it back int.) If you find an entire article that is obviously offtopic, report it to the moderators. If you find an entire article that is questionably offtopic... well, the moderator council is still working on how to deal with that. But reporting it to the moderators would be a good first step. Crazyeddie 01:40, Aug 31, 2004 (EDT)