What Is IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1, while IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8::1. Domain names are translated to IP addresses by DNS.
Why It Matters
IP addresses are the actual network addresses that route traffic on the internet. Domain names are human-readable labels that DNS translates to IP addresses. For domain forwarding, you need to point your domain’s DNS records to the forwarding server’s IP address.
IP Address Types
| Type | Format | Example | DNS Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPv4 | 32-bit, dot-decimal | 93.184.216.34 | A record |
| IPv6 | 128-bit, hex-colon | 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946 | AAAA record |
How IP Addresses Relate to Forwarding
1. User types: old-domain.com
2. Browser asks DNS: What's the IP for old-domain.com?
3. DNS responds: 93.184.216.34 (Domain Forward's server)
4. Browser connects to 93.184.216.34
5. Domain Forward responds: 301 → https://new-domain.comThe A record (or AAAA record/) in your domain’s DNS zone points to Domain Forward’s IP address. All traffic for your domain arrives at our servers, where it’s redirected.
Static vs Dynamic IPs
| IP Type | Changes? | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Static | Never | Servers, forwarding targets |
| Dynamic | Periodically | Home internet, mobile |
Domain Forward uses static IP addresses — your DNS A record always points to the same IP.
Related Terms
Related Features
Frequently
asked questions
Sometimes. If you're pointing your domain to Domain Forward using an A record, you'll use our IP address. If using a CNAME, you use a hostname instead. The setup guide will specify which.
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (4.3 billion possible) and is running out. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (virtually unlimited). Domain Forward supports both through A records (IPv4) and AAAA records (IPv6).
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