What is the difference between a global and local-scope IP address?

A global IP address is meant to be publicly accessible from the Internet.

A local-scope IP address is not routable to the Internet. This means that if your device is assigned local-scope address, your device will not be able to access the Internet, however you will still be able to access campus network resources. A device that requires access to, or reachability from the Internet should be configured with an global IP address.

The University of Iowa is currently assigned the following global IP address ranges:

  IPv4                                                                          IPv6

128.255.0.0 - 128.255.255.255                     2620:0:e50::/44
129.255.0.0 - 129.255.255.255

The University of Iowa currently utilizes the following local-scoped IP address range:

  IPv4                                                                          IPv6

172.16.0.0  - 172.31.255.255                           fd9a:2c75:7d0c::/48

10.0.0.0/8 (reserved; see https://itsecurity.uiowa.edu/policies-standards-guidelines/network-and-airspace-policy)

Added for Skype Telephony (HCIS-hosted):

  10.49.241.0/24
  10.49.242.0/23
  10.49.244.0/22
  10.49.248.0/22
  10.49.252.0/23
  10.49.254.0/24
  10.240.0.0/14

 

Article number: 
1453
Last updated: 
February 15, 2023
Service: 
Local-scope Addressing
Category: 
General Support Information