Differences Between Static and Dynamic IP Address

Dynamic and Static IP Address: Definition, Purposes, Comparative Characteristic

Advanced Internet users have heard about the different types of IP addresses. The article illuminates their core features and explains what the difference between static and dynamic addresses is. Estimate the advantages of these two for your particular case.

IP: Definition and Purposes

An Internet Protocol (IP) is an original set of numbers assigned to each device on the Internet for identification. Their purpose is the interaction of computers. Domain Name System (DNS) uses words for the Internet connection. When an Internet user types a website address, the device starts to search DNS. 

IP transfers network packets to the required destination across the public Internet using legal addressing methods. Also, it provides identification of computer hosts and location service. It is of paramount importance to check IP in cases when your Internet experiences some problems. 

IP addresses can be public and local. You get the public IP from your Internet provider for recognition in the network. Local IP is necessary for setting up printers or solving network issues. 

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To check IP, use free online tools. Also, Google may serve as an IP checker. Type in the Google search line ‘What is my IP?’ And the system will provide you your IP information and location.

Public IP is visible to other people. You expose your IP during any action online, e.g., email sharing, online shopping, all browsing history. That means that a person who knows about the IP checker can identify your location. 

The best way to know what my IP is, and hide it immediately for anonymous Internet browsing is by using a virtual private network (VPN). VeePN service can expose your IP address in a second. You can easily find out what is my public IP and see through all the benefits of anonymous browsing. The trial version is free. 

Dynamic and Static IP: Core Features

Most of us need a stable Internet connection only. For this purpose, Internet providers deliver a dynamic IP. They satisfy casual Internet users. Dynamic IP comes through the network, changes over time, and is free. It is necessary for ordinary Internet users and fits well for daily activities. Regular Internet users are happy with it due to easy management and no additional setup or network configurations. Also, these mean to be more secure due to their often changing.

What is a static IP address used for? It matters when external devices or websites need to remember your IP. It remains the same and never changes. Small business organizations need to host web, email, and web cameras for video streaming and video conference apps installations or get remote access to a corporate network.  

A static IP address provides:

• convenient remote access that eases the work with using VPN or without it;
• reliable communication via voice and video applications and teleconferences;
• server hosting for convenience of customers and employees to find the static IP via the DNS;
• enhanced DNS support to simplify the DNS setting and performance for customers;
• advanced geolocation service: weather forecast, maps, etc.

To answer a question of whether static or dynamic IP is better, you should determine why you need the Internet. For business organizations that use the network and external devices, a static IP is a significant advantage. However, most everyday users do not know how to answer the question ‘is my IP static or dynamic?’ They have an Internet connection, and that’s enough for them.

How to Get a Static IP Address

While all users receive the dynamic IP automatically, a static one requires additional settings. So, to know if my IP is static or dynamic, he or she must have made the appropriate changes for the static address. If there were no preliminary changes, your IP is dynamic.

The order of steps to get a static IP for macOS is the following:

• go to the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen;
• choose System Preferences;
• tap Network;
• choose Automatic Location;
• select «Advanced»;
• tap TCP/IP;
• change the Configure IPv4 to Manually;
• insert the appropriate values in the IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, and Router cells;
• save the settings.

Here is the guide of how to get a statistic IP for Windows 10:

• Click on the Network Connections in the system settings;
• go to Open Network section;
• choose Sharing Center;
• in the Change adapter settings section, select Wi-Fi adapter properties;
• set Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4);
• open Properties section;
• choose «Use the following IP address»;
• fill up the cells with IP address, Subnet mask, and local IP address (Default gateway) information;
• choose the option «Use the following DNS server addresses»;
• insert Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server addresses;
• save the settings.

The settings may differ in versions of Windows 8/8.1, Windows Vista/7, and Windows XP.

Summarizing

Choosing the type of your IP address is optional according to your purposes. The dynamic IP you receive automatically from your Internet provider. For getting the static IP, do the appropriate settings in your device. You can also lookout for best VPN for torrenting as there are many great options available.

A dynamic address remains the same for a few days, weeks, or longer. Users can reset it via the router or modem. A static address is permanent and supposes additional expenses for reservation from a limited number of IP addresses. The change of a static IP happens after the request of a user. Business owners extensively use static IP addresses while ordinary users get a dynamic one from their Internet provider. 

Dynamic IPs have a higher level of security compared to static ones due to their frequent change within each session or log in. That complicates the attempts of the cybercriminals to hack it.

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