Static IP Address: 7 Interesting Pros and Cons

You might want your computer to have a static IP address while setting up a web server.

Simply said, a static IP address is an address that never changes. Once you’ve given a device a static IP address, that number usually doesn’t change unless you deactivate the device or your network architecture alters. Servers and other significant equipment typically utilize static IP addresses.

In this article, we’ll tackle the upside and downside of Static IP addresses.

Advantages of Static IP

1. You’ve got access to precise geolocation information. Working with a static IP address gives you access to more accurate geolocation information than working with a dynamic IP. This data may provide several commercial advantages, such as delivery management, asset location knowledge, content personalization, load balancing, and fraud detection. To constantly put your best foot forward, you may even manage incidents in real-time using your logs if you have reliable data.
2. Lessens the possibility of losing crucial communication. If your server is set up with a dynamic IP address rather than a static one, it’s possible that not all of the messages sent to you are reaching you. Any communications sent to the previous address after the dynamic IP has changed will be lost until the DNS records have been refreshed. This is never a problem when you have a static IP address. Since your address is constant, you can always recognize when someone is attempting to contact you.
3. Locating shared devices will be simpler. As an illustration, let’s look at a corporate network. It is simpler to find the equipment if several employees need to use the same networked printer and the connection is made using a static IP address. Since shared printers are used in certain offices, you can search for the item by name. You could find that printing takes a lot longer if the printers were assigned a dynamic IP address.
4. On the internet, your name resolution is better. When a device is given a static IP address, its corresponding hostname may be used to connect to it securely. Because of this, fixed addresses are used by components like FTP servers and web servers. They are not dynamic. Therefore tracking their changes is never necessary to find them.
5. Fewer connection lapses. You can suffer interruptions in your internet connection if your ISP (or your company) assigns you a dynamic IP address for use at home. While some of these errors could last a second or two, others might need you to restart your hardware. Even while it’s occasionally referred to as a “ping,” what’s happening is a lack of recognition. Your IP address changes as you do, making it harder to find you. Using a static IP address for high data users minimizes this problem because the IP never resets.
6. Upload and download speeds are often faster. When you have a static IP allocated to your device, access to material is typically quicker since there are fewer hiccups. The speed changes might not be apparent if you use DSL. However, for consumers of high-speed internet, the variances may be greater than one megabit. You may compare the two configurations if you frequently download or upload huge files to the internet to see which one would work better for you.
7. You have remote access to it. You can access your computer (or another device) from anywhere in the globe if you have a static IP address. You may access your information as long as the gadget is operational and linked to the internet. This makes it simpler to complete tasks while traveling, maintain contact with colleagues, or profit from a VPN’s advantages.

Disadvantages of Static IP

1. The likelihood of encountering address conflict errors is higher. You run a higher chance of running into address conflict issues while utilizing your devices if a router is not correctly configured for the static IP addresses that are produced. This danger also exists for dynamic IP addresses, but because of the constantly shifting structures involved, it is at a lesser level.
2. No choice but to rely on high uptime rates. A static IP is ideal for the site regarding FTPs and hosting servers. For the functions to be adequately hosted, the servers must remain up constantly. Even with a 99.99 percent uptime rate, there will unavoidably be a few hours of outage each year, which might result in lost income. The expense of adding extra nines after the decimal point rises, which consequently reduces your profits. For some companies, this is a Catch-22 situation with no simple fix.
3. A static IP address may become outdated in the future. With the switch from IPv4 to IPv6, IP addresses are already evolving. Every investment in technology has the potential to become outdated in the future. When updates become available, trying to transfer your server settings might become a difficult procedure if you set up static IPs on your devices. Invest in a computer that is easy to upgrade if you feel the need to run a static IP so you can benefit from this choice.
4. The majority of individuals don’t require a static IP address. Static IP addresses are essential when a device or website needs to remember your IP address. It might be advantageous to have a static IP address if you use a virtual private network (VPN). Even while a static IP makes it simpler to set up the equipment, it is not necessary to spend time or money in one if you are hosting a server. Some advantages are still available to you, but doing so requires a time investment that might not be worthwhile in the long run.
5. The range of IP addresses is limited. When a device or website is given a static IP address, that address stays occupied until the assignment is removed. The issued IP address cannot be used by anyone else since it is unique, even when neither the computer nor the website is in use. As a result, there are fewer IP addresses accessible, which makes it more challenging for certain people to set up the systems they need to succeed when working online.
6. Easy to hack. Static IP addresses are easier to hack since they reveal the precise location of your server on the Internet. They may assault it more easily as a result.
7. Each static IP address requires manual configuration. Your home devices need to be manually set up if you use a static IP address for them. The time investment for this operation is modest if you just need to handle a small number of devices. This drawback would necessitate high administrative costs, negating many of the benefits of having a static IP in the first place for a company with hundreds or even thousands of devices to maintain.
8. For most ISPs, using a static IP has an extra fee. You must be ready to spend more if you operate a static IP for your website or other equipment. Many ISPs and hosting companies will demand that you sign up for a business account before they would even give you a choice. Each static IP address assignment may come with one-time costs as well. The cost of your internet subscription might increase each month. A single static IP can cost three times as much to host in some areas as a dynamic IP.
9. If a machine is connected to a network, it has a unique identification. The TCP/IP protocol, which is used for the internet, and other specialized computer communication protocols are made possible by this identification. IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are in use right now. These protocols are used to assign IP addresses that are both static and dynamic. These benefits and drawbacks of a static IP address will help you choose which choice is best based on your unique circumstances.

The Quick and Simple Method to Find Your Windows IP Address

Discovering the IP address of a computer system is crucial for network connectivity and communication. Microsoft Windows has a built-in method to determine the IP address of a device connected to the network. This guide will take you through the steps of finding the IP address on a Microsoft Windows computer system, ensuring a seamless and efficient process.

SETTING A STATIC IP ADDRESS

1. Use the Control Panel.

Into the Windows search box, type “ncpa.cpl”, then click the enter key.

Use the instructions below if you are not using Windows 10.

Press the “Windows” and “R” buttons simultaneously on your keyboard.

In the window that appears, type “ncpa.cpl.”

The network adapters currently attached to your computer will be displayed under Network Connections.

2. Choose a network adapter.

To configure a device, right-click on the network adapter that is presently attached to it. Typically, the adapter with “Ethernet” in the name.

3. Choose Properties

From the drop-down menu, choose “Properties”.

4. Decide on TCP/IP Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

“Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” should be clicked twice.

5. Manually enter the subnet mask and IP address

Then, after choosing to “Use the following IP Address,” provide the relevant data as follows:

Look at the device to which you are now connected. It should match the first three sets of digits. We will use the IP address 192.168.10.10 for this tutorial.

Subnet mask: Your PC’s subnet mask must match that of the device you are attempting to connect to. We’ll use subnet mask 255.255.255.0 for this tutorial.

6. Save Settings

Click the OK button in both the “Ethernet Properties” and “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” windows.

Please take note that failing to click the OK buttons in both cases will prevent your settings from being stored.

7. Return to DHCP

Repeat steps 1-4 one more to reset your machine to DHCP. Click “Obtain an IP address automatically” when you reach the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window. This will enable a random IP address to be issued to your PC on your network.

Please take note that failing to click the OK buttons in both cases will prevent your settings from being stored.

Dynamic vs Static IP Address

A static or dynamic IP address is given to a person when they register with an ISP. Dynamic IP addresses are now preferred over static ones in most use cases, particularly at home. However, static IP addresses still have certain benefits in a few business-focused use cases.

In the context of literature, a static character remains constant throughout a novel, whereas a dynamic character changes as the story progresses. Static IP addresses don’t change, but dynamic IP addresses do. This is the main difference between these two types of IP addresses. This indicates that while the numbers connected with a dynamic IP address vary, those associated with a static IP address remain constant.

A dynamic IP address often lasts for days, weeks, or even longer, but it may also be altered by the ISP or by restarting the router or modem. The end user is also unaffected by the address change. Even when the user is online, the address may change. When an ISP issues a device an IP address, it will often be a dynamic IP address, such as for in-home usage.

A static IP address is one that stays the same and usually costs extra to the ISP. A select few IP addresses must be saved for use as static IP addresses. No matter what the user does, static IP addresses will remain the same until they ask their ISP to change them. A static IP address may be used by businesses to run the business smoothly.

However, a dynamic IP address is typically the less expensive, correct choice.

Security

People consider static IP addresses to be less secure. Data may be simpler to discover and access by a hacker due to static IP addresses’ lack of change, and they are also more vulnerable to subsequent assaults due to their constant use. Additionally, static IP addresses are simpler to trace.

Implementing a router firewall, security suite, or VPN can alleviate the security flaws associated with dynamic IP addresses. For instance, a VPN may assist in masking your network address, which makes it more challenging to determine the geographical location of a device. It is a good idea to deploy additive security processes even if these measures cannot ensure that all data will be secure.

When to Use a Static Ip Address or Dynamic IP Address?

For devices on your network that other systems or devices on the network will need to be able to reach extremely reliably, it is recommended to utilize a static IP address. Given that the IP address won’t change, a device with a static IP address ensures that it can be quickly located on the network. Static IP addresses are also advised for devices on the network that are accessed over the Internet (such as a web server) or when maintaining a data connection is crucial. We recommend using static IP addresses for a few pieces of equipment, including network print servers and serial over IP devices.

For residential networks, when your main concern is having your network devices be able to access the Internet, it is practical to use a dynamic IP address since you want it to be as simple as possible to add or remove new network devices. Because most routers utilize the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to dynamically assign IP addresses and because most devices have the option of utilizing a dynamic IP address set by default, this typically requires the least amount of configuration.

While certain devices, like your network print servers and serial over IP devices, use static IP addresses, you may configure some devices, like PCs, to utilize DHCP to receive an available IP address from your router automatically.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dedicated IP Addresses

The benefits and drawbacks of choosing this setup over a shared hosting server are listed here.

Conclusion

Choose a static IP address if you run a business. Any website or internet service falls under this category. The static IP is the best if you anticipate often accessing your computer remotely. However, if you’re a casual internet user, a dynamic IP address is preferable since it costs less and, in some circumstances, is a little more secure than static.

No matter which networks you use, using a VPN may help you secure your IP address and your phone, data, and identity.