An IP address is a numerical identification for a computer on a network or the Internet. It is used to uniquely identify a computer so that it may communicate with other computers on a network or the Internet.
For computers connected to a local area network (e.g.: a corporate network), the IP address shown above is the public IP address – that is the IP address for the firewall, proxy server, cable modem /access point, or gateway on the Internet. It is assigned to you by your ISP.
Usually, an IP address is requested so that someone may test connectivity with your computer. For example, we at ExaVault will ask for an IP address so that we can perform Ping and Traceroute tests to your computer from our servers.
A hostname is a human-readable text address for a computer on a network or the Internet. Like an IP address, it is used to uniquely identify a computer so that it may communicate with other computers on network or on the Internet.
For computers connected to a local area network (e.g., your home computers connected to a wireless access point), the hostname shown above is the public hostname assigned to you by your ISP.
Hostnames are often interchangeable with IP addresses through DNS.
Usually, a hostname is requested for the same reasons that an IP address is requested: to test connectivity. However, a public hostname will also often show the name of the ISP that you are connecting through.