Advantages of dynamic IP and static IP

One of the tech words you’ll often come across when signing up for your home broadband package or business package is IP address or Internet Protocol address. When you get a broadband connection, you’re usually given an IP address so that other PCs on the world wide web can connect and communicate with your PC (if you’re a home user) or your web server (assuming you’re hosting a website on your web space).

In non-technical terms, the IP address is a unique number that is often assigned to your PC on a network. If you are connected to the Internet, just check the Internet options to go to the LAN settings. You will find the IP address of your PC. This address helps other PCs to identify your PC and also helps your PC to get information from other PCs that have similar unique numbers.

IP addresses are of two types: dynamic IP and static IP. What are their characteristics? Why do you get a dynamic IP for free? Why is it so hard for you to get a static IP? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type?

Remember, when your PC is not connected to the Internet, it can have any type of IP that the administrator offers you. Typically, on a LAN, the individual PC’s IP address will be unique and that is the only one required on such a network unless the PC is connected to the Internet.

dynamic IP

All ISPs usually offer dynamic IP for free and this IP will change every time you log in to the internet. This means that your PC will be assigned different number codes at different times.

Advantages of Dynamic IP

In a network managed by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), IP address assignment and network configuration are performed much faster.

All computers (clients) get IP address, DNS and gateway from DHCP server automatically. This also makes your task of adding new computers to the network much easier. Regardless of the size of the network, dynamic IP is very useful as it is easy to assign, distribute and manage.

In a large LAN network, dynamic IP management helps you save time as you don’t need to configure hundreds of computers manually.

Dynamic IP also helps you log in as an anonymous user.

The main disadvantage of dynamic IP is that it is not suitable for web hosting. I would need static IP then. However, home users will not find any difficulty in using this type of IP.

static IP

Some broadband providers offer this option which has some distinct benefits. It’s a useful feature when you’re considering web hosting, as the server often needs this type of IP address, as the DNS will be able to interpret domain names as IP addresses that never change on the network. Static IP is quite useful to identify a specific PC in a large network of PCs. Therefore, static IP is often used in a large infrastructure environment.

Advantages of static IP

As the static IP never changes in the Internet environment, a specific PC can be accessed, controlled and maintained from anywhere.

For web hosting purposes, static IP is very ideal. If you are a business user and want to promote your business over the internet, opt for a business broadband package which can sometimes provide you with a free static IP address. Businesses can see better growth and stay in touch with their customers when they have their own websites. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, look for a commercial package that comes with free static IP and web space.

Make sure you pick the right business broadband package after checking out the extras provided by ISPs like free emails, free domain name, web space, etc.

Just think that you can create your own email addresses with your domain name. If your email accounts have a unique identity, make a big difference and become an important part of running your business better, it is better to have your own email accounts with your own domain name. It will also help your business gain a foothold among your competitors.

If you are a gamer and use a dedicated broadband connection for that purpose, take a static IP and find the difference. It would definitely help you to have a significant advantage over others. This is because FTP servers make data transfer much faster.