What Is a Public IPv4 Address?
Short answerA public IPv4 address is an internet-routable number assigned to your VPS so other computers on the internet can reach it. VPSGrid assigns a primary IP to each VPS — you use it for SSH, RDP, web traffic, and DNS A records pointing at your server.
Overview
Every VPS needs at least one address on the public internet. That address is how visitors, APIs, and admin tools find your machine. This article explains public IPv4 in plain language — not only jargon. Pair with What Is Bandwidth in VPS Hosting? for traffic limits.
Public vs private IP addresses
| Type | Reachable from | Example use |
|---|---|---|
| Public IPv4 | The internet | Your VPS primary IP — SSH, HTTPS, mail, game servers |
| Private IP | Inside a local/LAN network only | 10.x.x.x, 172.16–31.x.x, 192.168.x.x — home routers, internal VLANs |
Your VPS primary IP is public — that is why you can connect from your laptop at home without a VPN into the provider network (unless you deliberately restrict access with firewall rules).
Primary IP on a VPSGrid VPS
When provisioning completes, VPSGrid assigns a primary IP (public IPv4) to your VPS. Find it in:
- The VPS Ready email
- Services → My Services → product details in the client area
- Your guest OS network settings after first boot
VPSGrid marketing may use “Dedicated IP” in some contexts — for customers, treat it as your VPS’s main public IPv4 used for inbound connections. Point domains with DNS A records — How to Point a Domain to a VPS.
IPv4 format and scarcity
IPv4 addresses look like four numbers separated by dots, e.g. 203.0.113.10. Each number is 0–255. The world has run out of new IPv4 space at the regional level, so providers recycle and allocate carefully — another reason VPS plans include one primary address rather than unlimited IPs.
IPv6 is a newer, larger address space. VPSGrid standard plans focus on IPv4 primary IPs; confirm store pages if you need additional IPv4 or IPv6 options.
Ports: IP is the building, port is the door
An IP alone is not enough for most services — applications listen on ports:
- 22 — SSH (Linux admin)
- 3389 — RDP (Windows admin)
- 80 / 443 — HTTP / HTTPS websites
- 25, 587, 993 — mail protocols (often restricted or filtered by providers)
Your firewall must allow the ports you need — How to Configure UFW Firewall on Ubuntu/Debian or Windows firewall guides. “Connection refused” often means nothing is listening or the firewall blocked the port — Website Shows Connection Refused.
Reverse DNS (rDNS / PTR records)
Forward DNS — domain name → IP (A record). Reverse DNS — IP → hostname (PTR record). Mail servers and some APIs check rDNS for reputation.
On VPSGrid, reverse DNS is typically set to your VPS hostname or a provider-assigned name. Request PTR changes through support if your product allows custom rDNS — include the IP and desired FQDN.
Common tasks using your public IP
- First login — SSH or RDP to the primary IP with credentials from the welcome email
- Publish a website — create DNS A record
www → your primary IP - Lock down admin access — firewall allow 22/3389 only from your office IP if possible
- Debug connectivity —
ping(if ICMP allowed),curl -I http://YOUR_IP, check DNS propagation — How DNS Propagation Works
Common misconceptions
- “Primary IP = domain name.” No — use a hostname at order time and point your domain separately via DNS.
- “I can use any private IP on the public internet.” Private ranges are not routed globally; your VPS needs a public address for inbound internet traffic.
- “Changing my domain changes my IP.” DNS and IP are separate — update A records when you migrate servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get additional IPv4 addresses?
Depends on product and availability. Check store add-ons or open a ticket — extra IPs often require justification and may have fees.
Why can’t I ping my VPS?
Some networks block ICMP ping. Try SSH/RDP or HTTP to the service port instead — absence of ping does not always mean the server is down.
Does my IP change if I reboot?
Normally no — the primary IP stays with the service unless you rebuild, migrate, or change products. Confirm in the client area after major changes.
Related Articles
Need More Help?
Missing or wrong primary IP after provisioning: open a ticket at billing.vpsgrid.net with your service ID.
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