Why are the 4 numbers in an IP address called octets?

The four numbers in an IP address are called octets because each number represents an 8-bit binary value, which can range from 0 to 255. In binary, 8 bits can represent 2^8, or 256 different values, hence the term "octet," derived from the Latin Word "octo," meaning eight. This structure allows for efficient routing and addressing within networks.