IP
In plain terms
The protocol that addresses and routes data across networks.
Going deeper
The Internet Protocol assigns addresses to devices and routes packets between them across interconnected networks. It's the addressing backbone of the internet.
Under the hood
Connectionless and best-effort; paired with TCP/UDP above it. IPv4 and IPv6 are the two versions.
Examples
IP addresses, packet routing, the internet's foundation, IPv4/IPv6.
Think of it like...
Like the postal addressing system that gets each packet toward its destination.