re: Process of elimination
So far it looks to me like there's a piece of hardware belonging to my ISP, which is connected to my computer via my phone line. It's either a computer/"router"/"host"/or "Node" and has a physical address. It's represented by the last set of numbers in the IP address.
I asked because most IP "finders" show my location as a major city about 15 miles from where I live. One Program shows me in a smaller city much closer to me. I don't understand it.