No matter where you access the internet from, you have an IP address that reveals your location. Each device has a unique IP address that facilitates data exchange with the rest of the world via the internet. It works just like our individual postal address, email address, or telephone number that enables communication with people across the globe.
The IP Address of Routers by LinkSys and Alcatel
But here’s something you may not know: your router has its own private IP address. Many routers, especially those manufactured by LinkSys and Alcatel, use the IP address 192.168.1.254. You’re likely to come across this address when you’re configuring your WiFi settings, changing your password, or adjusting any other router setting.
In a typical home network, the router has an IP address of its own (router IP). A specific range of IP addresses has been reserved for private networks such as home networks, Local Area Networks (LAN), Wireless Area Networks (WAN) within an enterprise, and more. These IP ranges cannot be assigned to publicly accessible websites. The reserved ranges include:
- 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
- 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
- 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
The IP address consists of four sets of numbers. The network ID is formed by the first three sets, while the device ID is represented by the fourth set. These sets of numbers are separated by dots or full stops. For example, in 192.168.1.254, 192.168.1 represents the network ID, and 254 is the device ID. In a home network with multiple devices, each device will have the same first three sets and a different fourth set. The DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) present in the router assigns these sets to the respective devices.
Similar to private addresses, public addresses also exist. All devices connected to a network share a public address that is visible to the external network. The router translates the private address to a public address while communicating with an external network, and converts the public address to private when communicating back with the devices within its network. This process is known as Network Address Translation (NAT).
However, since 192.168.1.254 is a private IP address, you cannot access devices in this network from the internet. Nevertheless, devices connected to the network can seamlessly communicate with each other.
192.168.1.254 vs. 192.168.I.254: What’s the Difference?
Now, you might be curious about the difference between the two variations of the IP address. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the second variation replaces the number “1” with the letter “i”. Unfortunately, IP addresses are strictly composed of numbers, so any inclusion of alphabets in an address cannot be understood by the network.
A simple misspelling like this could prevent you from resolving your network issues. And that’s definitely something you want to avoid.
Other Manufacturers that Use 192.168.1.254 IP Address
Apart from renowned router manufacturers like LinkSys and Alcatel, several other companies utilize the IP address 192.168.1.254 as the default address for their devices. These manufacturers include AboCom, OvisLink, MSI, LoopComm, and CC&C, who incorporate this IP address as the default for their broadband routers and modems.
Now that you’re privy to the secrets behind the 192.168.1.254 IP address, you can confidently navigate your network settings and ensure a smooth online experience.