inet_aton()

[OwenTheSamoan]

I'm using a select statement that takes ip addresses and converts them into numbers that are stored in my database. The script (which I didn't write) works perfectly, but I do not understand part of it. I tried looking it up in the php manual but couldn't find it. I would like to understand what it is I am using. If anyone can point out some reading material or explain it for me I would greatly appreciate it. This is the part of the script I do not understand.

$ip =$REMOTE_ADDR;

inet_aton('" . $ip . "')

Thanks in advance,
OwenTheSamoan