Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses – What Is The Difference?

What is an IP address?

Every device on a TCP/IP network is given a unique number called an IP address. IP addresses identify computers and devices and let them talk to each other, just like your physical address lets people know where to send your birthday card.

IP addresses are stored as numbers on the inside. Computers are happy with numbers, but people like to use names. The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet’s address book. This means that you can use words, like “www.download.zone,” instead of numbers to navigate the internet and talk to devices on your network. These devices could be anything that can connect to the internet, like your computer, TV, smart speaker, or even your fridge. Almost any electronic device in your home could have an IP address these days.

When you type a URL into your web browser, DNS looks up that domain’s IP address. If you type www.download.zone into your browser, for example, DNS will give you one of several IP addresses, such as 77.234.41.52.

IPv4 and IPv6 are the two most common versions of IP address.

IPv4 has four hexadecimal numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.0.1. IPv6 has six hexadecimal numbers separated by colons, like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. We have used almost all of the almost 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses. IPv6 has a lot more addresses. We won’t run out of IPv6 addresses before the universe dies from too much heat.

What is a static IP address?

A static IP address is just an address that doesn’t change. Once your device is given a static IP address, that number stays the same until the device is turned off or your network architecture changes. Most servers and other important devices use IP addresses that don’t change.

Internet Service Providers give out IP addresses that don’t change (ISPs). Depending on the terms of your service agreement, your ISP may or may not give you a fixed IP address. We’ll talk about your options in a bit, but for now, just assume that a static IP address makes your ISP contract more expensive.

A static IP address can be either IPv4 or IPv6, but the key word here is “static.” Someday, each piece of networked equipment might have a unique IPv6 address that doesn’t change. We haven’t arrived yet. At the moment, most permanent IPv4 addresses are static addresses.

How does an IP address work?

The Internet Protocol is how all devices talk to each other (IP). How it works is as follows:

Our devices connect to an internet-connected network first. This network provides internet access. For instance, our home network may be our ISP (ISP). After that, our ISP will provide our device an IP address. Our ISP will relay our online activities to us using our IP address.

Our home network’s IP address doesn’t travel with us when we leave home. Hotel stay. We’ll probably utilise the hotel’s Wi-Fi network to access the Internet. We have a temporary IP address due to our new network. Hotel ISP offered us this temporary IP address.

What is a dynamic IP address?

Dynamic IP addresses can change, as the name suggests, sometimes at the last minute. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers give out dynamic addresses when they need to.

We use dynamic addresses because there aren’t enough static IP addresses for everyone in IPv4. So, for example, a hotel probably has a static IP address, but each device in each room would have a dynamic IP address.

Your ISP’s DHCP server may give your home or office a dynamic IP address that changes over time. Your network router probably gives each of your devices a dynamic IP address on your home or business network, whether they are PCs, smartphones, tablets, devices that stream media, or anything else. Dynamic IP is the standard that consumer electronics use.

Static vs. dynamic: Which is best for me?

There is no one perfect way to get an IP address that works for everyone and every situation. Sometimes it’s better for a computer or other device to use a fixed IP address, and sometimes it’s better for it to use a dynamic IP address.

Whether you should use a dynamic or a static IP address depends on the type of connection you have. A business is more likely to need a static IP address, while a home network should use a dynamic IP address.

Advantages of a static IP

Having a static IP address has a lot of advantages. Some of these perks are:

• Better DNS support: DNS servers make it much easier to set up and manage IP addresses that don’t change.
• Server hosting: If you host a web server, an email server, or any other kind of server, having a static IP address makes it easier for customers to find you through DNS. In real life, this means that customers can get to your websites and services faster if they have a fixed IP address.
• Easy remote access: Having a static IP address makes it easier to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or other remote access programs to work from a distance.
• Static IP addresses make it easier to use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for teleconferencing and other voice and video communications. This makes voice and video communications more reliable.
• More reliable geo-location services: With a static IP address, services can match the IP address to its physical location. For example, if you use a local weather service with a static IP address, you are more likely to get the weather report you need instead of the one for the next city over.

Disadvantages of a static IP

A static IP address isn’t ideal for all situations.

• Static IPs are easier to hack. If your server’s IP address stays the same, hackers know exactly where it is on the Internet. So, it’s easier for them to attack.
• Higher cost: ISPs usually charge more for static IP addresses, especially when it comes to plans for consumers. Business ISP plans often include static IP, at least as an option, but they are more expensive than end-user plans, so be sure to ask if it costs extra.
• Concerns about security in the real world: Anyone with the right network tools can find out where you and your computers are. VPNs like  Secure Line VPN can help ease this worry because they hide where you are physically.

Advantages of a dynamic IP

Dynamic IP addresses are easier to manage and cheaper to deploy than static IP addresses.

• With a dynamic IP address, setting up the device is easy and automatic because the DHCP server gives the device the next available IP address. There’s nothing you need to do.
• When you use a dynamic IP address, you usually save money on fees.
• Dynamic IP addresses let you use the same IP address more than once. Your devices on a network are automatically set up with a new dynamic IP address as needed. So, if you bring a new computer into your home, you don’t have to delete the old one or give it a number; the network or router takes care of that for you. When two computers try to use the same IP address, this keeps things from getting confusing.
• Potentially better security: If your networked equipment has a dynamic IP address, it’s harder for someone to attack it. With a VPN for PC, you can also hide your network address to make yourself safer.
• Better physical security: It’s much harder for a snoop to figure out where you are. A VPN can also help in this way.

Disadvantages of a dynamic IP

There are times when dynamic IP addresses are not the best choice. They don’t work well for services that go out to the internet, like the web or email.

• Not likely to work well for services that are hosted: Using a dynamic IP address may be hard if you want to host a website, an email server, or something else like that. Dynamic IP addresses don’t work well with DNS because the address changes all the time. There are Dynamic DNS services that solve this problem, but they cost money and make things more complicated. This can be a major problem.
• May make it harder to use remote access: If you use a dynamic IP address, your remote access software may have trouble connecting. VPN programs like Secure Line VPN really shine in situations like these.
• Possible more downtime: Your ISP may not be able to give you a dynamic IP address sometimes, which doesn’t happen very often. This can make it hard for you to connect to the internet. For a single customer, that’s a short-term annoyance. If it takes down your company’s website, that’s a much bigger problem.
• Less accurate geolocation: If you have a dynamic IP address, your geolocation services may not work because you can keep an address that doesn’t match where you are in the real world.

FAQ’S

Which type of IP address do you have?

Now that you know the differences between static IP and dynamic IP, you may realize that it didn’t matter which one you used before. Using a free online tool like IP checker is a quick way to find out your IP address and what kind it is.

Is it difficult to change your IP address?

Most of the time, an ISP or cable company will give you a dynamic IP address if you get your internet service from them.

By default, your devices on your own network are given dynamic IP addresses. Changing to a static IP address is usually not too hard. To do this, go to the interface of your router, find the device you want to give a static IP address to, and then give it one (usually by manually typing in a number). The specifics depend on the router. On a network with an administrator, you need to ask the administrator to do this for you.

How to protect your IP address, whether it’s static or dynamic

Whether your IP address is fixed or changes, your internet service provider (ISP) and tech-savvy bad guys can figure out where you are and what you’re trying to do on the internet. You might want to hide your IP address from snoopers, no matter what kind it is. A VPN like  SecureLine VPN can help keep you safe and keep your information private.