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What is the loopback IP address?

  1. 192.168.1.1

  2. 255.255.255.255

  3. 127.0.0.1

  4. 10.0.0.1

The correct answer is: 127.0.0.1

The loopback IP address is 127.0.0.1, which is a special address used to refer to the local host or the device itself. When a device sends a request to this address, it is essentially communicating with itself. This function is commonly used for testing and troubleshooting network applications and services without the need for network hardware or configuration. It assures that the TCP/IP stack is functioning properly, as any traffic sent to this address will not leave the local machine. In the context of networking, other addresses mentioned do not serve this specific function. For instance, 192.168.1.1 is commonly used as a private IP address for local networks, whereas 255.255.255.255 is a broadcast address that sends messages to all devices on the local network. 10.0.0.1, like 192.168.1.1, is another private IP address often used in local area networks. These addresses cannot be used to communicate with the local device in the same way that 127.0.0.1 can.