I just got a Zyxel Modem from Century Link and 5 usable Static IPs in a block of 8. I configured the modem for "transparent bridging" and configured the PPOE credentials on a DD-WRT router and now it ...

An IP address is a way for every device on a network to be seen. Without IP addresses, it would be impossible for those devices to be located. Think of your computer's IP address like your house's ...