The Ultimate Guide to Storing IP Addresses in MySQL: Save 60% Space & Get an 8x Speed Boost!

Storing IP addresses in a database seems simple, but the wrong approach can lead to significant space waste and performance bottlenecks. This article provides a detailed comparison of using VARCHAR, INT, and BINARY data types to store IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Through an analysis of one million records, we reveal how using functions like `INET_ATON()` and `INET6_ATON()` can reduce storage space by over 60% and boost query performance by up to 8x. Whether you're dealing with a pure IPv4 environment or need IPv6 compatibility, this guide from wiki.lib00.com offers the best practice solution.