What identifier is assigned to computers on a network for identification purposes?

An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network, which enables communication between devices. It serves as the primary means by which a computer or device is recognized and located within a network or on the internet. Each IP address is unique to the device it is assigned to, allowing other devices to send data to or request data from it accurately.

IP addresses can be either IPv4, which consists of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1), or IPv6, which is a newer standard designed to accommodate a larger number of devices and uses hexadecimal notation.

Other options, such as URLs and domain names, serve different purposes in the context of the internet. A URL is a reference or address used to access resources on the web, while a domain name is a human-readable identifier linked to an IP address, facilitating easier navigation. DNS (Domain Name System) is the service that translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing devices to locate one another on the network. However, none of these options replace the fundamental role of an IP address as the direct identifier for devices within a network.