What does it mean when the ASN field is empty?
When the ASN (Autonomous System Number) field is empty on an IPinfo lookup result, it means that the IP address is not announced in the BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) tables. In practical terms, this indicates the IP address is not actively routed through the internet’s autonomous systems.
Why would an IP address not have an ASN?
An IP address lacks an ASN when it is not assigned to any particular device or network that participates in BGP routing. This means the address is not currently in active use for internet communications, even though it may be owned by a specific organization.
So the IP address isn’t actually being used?
Not necessarily. While the IP is not announced in BGP tables, it still has an owner. The location data IPinfo shows in this case reflects the IP address owner’s office address, which is technically correct but represents the administrative location of the IP block rather than actual device usage.
Can I still get location data for IPs without an ASN?
Yes. Even when the ASN field is empty, IPinfo still provides geolocation information based on the registered owner’s address. This is pulled from IP whois records and shows where the organization that owns the IP address is physically located, not necessarily where an active connection using that IP is coming from.
What’s the difference between IP owner location and actual usage location?
When an IP has an ASN, the geolocation typically reflects where the IP is actively being used on the network. When an IP lacks an ASN, the geolocation instead points to the organization’s administrative office—the address on file with regional internet registries. These can be very different locations.
Why does IPinfo show the office address if the IP isn’t actively used?
This is the most accurate information available. Since the IP is not announced in BGP tables, there’s no active routing data indicating real-time usage. The owner’s registered address is the authoritative source of location information for that IP block, even if it doesn’t represent current device usage.