The fundamental set of rules governing how data packets are addressed and routed across local networks or the internet. In the entertainment lighting sector: IP represents the technological foundation that enables high-capacity control protocols (such as Art-Net and sACN) to replace traditional, serial connections. By assigning a unique IP address to each console, media server, and DMX gateway: lighting networks can transport thousands of universes over a single physical Ethernet cable. While standard IT systems rely heavily on dynamic IP assignment, best practices in entertainment lighting favor static IP address configurations to prevent lease timeouts, DHCP conflicts, or rogue server distributions that can destabilize a live show. Proactive tools like QubiSet help technicians verify and manage IP configurations across a rig to ensure reliable, uninterrupted communication.