What is an IP address?

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question549.htm I think this will help you understand.

it is internet protocal adresss which help u find u location

The IP Address is a 32 bit address assigned to each computer on the network. It is provided by your ISP. It can be static or dynamic. When IP was first standardized in September 1981, the specification required that each system attached to an IP-based internet be assigned a unique, 32-bit Internet address value. Some systems, such as routers which have interfaces to more than one network, must be assigned a unique IP address for each network interface. Eg : 202.45.75.35 ( There are 4 Octets in the IP, separated by the . ) Each octet is 8 bit long and hence, together makeup a 32-bit address. 2^32 = 4 Giga addresses are possible with the present 32 bit addressing. Although this might seem to be a huge number, it isnt enough. So, IPv6 ( 128 bit ) is being developed and used. The present version is IPv4 The rules for a valid IP address are : Each Octet cannot be 255 ( range is 000-255 ) ie : 203.45.65.278 is INVALID Some Range of IP addresses are not available to the public ( Eg : Class-A IP range , 10.4.34.10 )

IP address and domain name are the same thing except that IP address is a number for your domain name which is like http://www.domainname.com. One important thing to do is make sure your domain name has exactly what you do because it helps in the search. If you are into cooking it helps if your domain name is like www.cooksgreat.com, but www.cooks.com would be the best choice except that such names are hot and would be gone a long time ago.