Field notes from the network layer.
Plain-English explainers about IP addresses, geolocation, routing, and the everyday strangeness of the internet's plumbing.
May 10, 2026
9 min read
9 min read
What is an IP address, really?
Every device on the internet has one. But what's actually inside those four numbers (or that long string of hex), and how does the network use them to find you?
May 4, 2026
11 min read
11 min read
IPv4 vs IPv6: why the world is slowly moving on
IPv4 ran out of addresses years ago. IPv6 has been "the future" for decades. We unpack why adoption is patchy and what it means for everyday users.
April 24, 2026
8 min read
8 min read
How IP geolocation actually works (and where it fails)
Geolocation databases are surprisingly accurate at the country level — and surprisingly bad at the street level. Here's what's going on under the hood.
April 16, 2026
7 min read
7 min read
What is an ASN, and why does it matter?
Autonomous System Numbers are how the internet decides which network owns which IPs. They're also a powerful tool for sysadmins and security analysts.