What does IPv4 refer to regarding IP addresses?

IPv4 refers to Internet Protocol version 4, which utilizes a 32-bit addressing scheme. This means that an IPv4 address is composed of four sets of numbers separated by periods, with each set representing an 8-bit number, resulting in a total of 32 bits. This addressing scheme allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses (2^32), which was a significant advancement for internet communication at the time of its creation.

The other types of addressing mentioned, such as 128-bit, 16-bit, or 64-bit addresses, pertain to different versions or approaches to Internet Protocol. For example, IPv6 is the next generation of IP addressing and uses 128-bit addresses to accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet. Understanding the distinction between these address types is crucial for networking and managing internet resources effectively.