IP-address is something that your Internet service Provider gives and its unique all over the world which is known as Private IP's. If you have a wireless router in your home and share different systems  with that router you would use Private IP. So, with single Public IP you can log on to internet from different systems.

You need to have a Public IP to be able to connect it to the Internet and you need private ip's to connect it to the network. IP is nothing but a set of rules that computers follow to complete certain task and IP address is just like your telephone number.

All in all its like you talking over the phone.....

I'm not trying to teach you what it is and how it works. You will find many good articles on the net...
Just chill...... Why don't you guys try linux over Windows so called XP... I'll bet you will never wanna go back again to window craps...........

Let me know if you want to try some open source..

2008 is for OPEN SOURCE.... TAKE MY WORDS..