What term is used for the unique numerical label assigned to each device on a network?

The unique numerical label assigned to each device on a network is referred to as an IP Address. This address serves as a primary identifier that allows devices to communicate with each other over the Internet or within a local network. An IP Address can be thought of as akin to a mailing address for a house, guiding data packets to their correct destination.

Understanding why an IP Address is essential involves recognizing its role in routing traffic within networks. When a device sends or receives data, the IP Address indicates both the source and destination, enabling correct data transmission. Without this unique label, devices would not be able to locate each other, making network communication impossible.

While other terms like MAC Address refer to hardware-level identification and Subnet Mask deals with network segmentation, the IP Address is the universally recognized identifier at the networking level to facilitate inter-device communication on networks. Additionally, Network ID often refers to a segment of an IP Address that identifies a specific network rather than an individual device. Hence, the most precise term for the unique label assigned to each device is indeed the IP Address.