What type of address is used to identify a computer on a network?

An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a device connected to a network, allowing it to communicate with other devices. It functions as a numerical label, formatted in either IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1) or IPv6 (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334), and is essential for routing traffic across the internet or within a local area network. By designating a specific address, network devices can send and receive data accurately, ensuring that the information reaches its intended destination.

In contrast, a port number indicates specific services or applications running on a device, while a domain name provides a human-readable representation of an IP address. A MAC address, on the other hand, is a hardware identifier localized to a network segment and is used for the data link layer in networking, which is different from the broader network layer where IP addresses operate.