Two Addresses, One Connection
When you connect to the internet, your devices actually use two different IP addresses at the same time. One is visible to the entire internet; the other exists only inside your home network. Understanding the difference helps you troubleshoot connectivity issues, set up remote access, and manage your privacy.
Check your current public IP instantly with our What's My IP tool.
What Is a Public IP Address?
A public IP address is globally unique — no two devices on the internet share the same public IP at the same time. It is assigned to your router by your ISP (e& or Du in the UAE) and is the address that websites, servers, and online services see when you communicate with them.
- Scope — Visible to the entire internet
- Assigned by — Your ISP (e&, Du, Virgin UAE)
- Shared by — All devices in your household
- Changes? — Yes, on most plans (dynamic); fixed on paid static plans
What Is a Private IP Address?
A private IP address exists only within your local network. Your router assigns one to each connected device using DHCP. Private addresses are defined in RFC 1918 — an internet standard that reserves specific ranges exclusively for private use. These addresses are never routed on the public internet.
RFC 1918 Private IP Ranges
| Range | CIDR Notation | Total Addresses | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 | 10.0.0.0/8 | 16,777,216 | Large enterprise networks, some ISP routers |
| 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 | 172.16.0.0/12 | 1,048,576 | Medium business networks |
| 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 | 192.168.0.0/16 | 65,536 | Home routers (most common) |
Most UAE home routers default to the 192.168.1.x range, with the router itself at 192.168.1.1 and devices assigned addresses from 192.168.1.2 upward. Learn how to find your router's IP in our guide: How to Find Your Router IP Address.
How NAT Connects Them Both
NAT (Network Address Translation) is what makes it possible for many devices with private addresses to share a single public IP. Here's how it works:
- Outbound — When your laptop (192.168.1.5) requests a webpage, the router replaces the private source address with the public IP and records the mapping.
- Inbound — When the server responds to the public IP, the router checks its table and forwards the data back to 192.168.1.5.
- Port-based — NAT uses port numbers to track multiple simultaneous connections from different devices.
CGNAT: A Second Layer of NAT
CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) is an additional NAT layer applied by ISPs themselves. Instead of giving each customer a unique public IP, the ISP places hundreds or thousands of customers behind a single shared IP. This conserves IPv4 addresses at scale.
In the UAE, CGNAT is commonly used by:
- Du — Some residential fibre and most mobile data plans use CGNAT
- e& — Mobile data connections (not typically fibre eLife plans)
CGNAT causes problems with port forwarding, peer-to-peer gaming, remote desktop, CCTV remote access, and some VPN configurations. If you need a true public IP, contact your ISP and request a dedicated static IP as a business add-on.
Public vs Private IP: At a Glance
| Attribute | Public IP | Private IP |
|---|---|---|
| Assigned by | ISP (e&, Du) | Your router (DHCP) |
| Globally unique | Yes | No (reused everywhere) |
| Visible to internet | Yes | No |
| Typical example | 185.60.112.5 | 192.168.1.10 |
| How many per household | 1 (shared by all devices) | 1 per device |
| Changes over time | Yes (dynamic) or No (static) | Yes (DHCP lease renewal) |
| Used for port forwarding | Yes | No (destination only) |
When Each IP Type Matters
- Port forwarding — Requires a dedicated public IP (not CGNAT). Configure forwarding rules in your router using the device's private IP as the internal target.
- Remote desktop / VPN — You need to know your public IP to connect from outside. Dynamic DNS services like No-IP can track a changing public IP automatically.
- Privacy — Websites see your public IP. A VPN replaces it with the VPN server's IP. Read our guide on what a VPN is and how to hide your IP address.
- Network troubleshooting — Knowing both IPs helps isolate whether a problem is within your home network or between your router and the ISP.
For a deeper look at static vs dynamic public IPs, see our guide on Static IP vs Dynamic IP, and if your public IP keeps changing unexpectedly, read why your IP address changes.