What is a Static IP Address?

When different computers join a network, they are assigned a unique 32-bit number for identification. An Internet Protocol (IP) address is usually given by an Internet service provider (ISP). An IP address is a dotted quad and provides information such as geographic data and hosting provider.

If a web server is hosted on your computer, the rest of the internet will identify it through its IP address. Understanding what static IP is, how it works, and how it’s set up can help you make informed decisions about your network setup. It is also important to know the difference between static IP vs. dynamic IP.

What is a Static IP Address?

A static IP stays the same over time. There are a number of useful functions that are served by a static IP address. This includes faster data transfer from your internet gateway, seamless remote access solutions, and more stable server hosting. This type of IP address is always configured into the device regardless of whether it is operational. The only time you can change a static IP address is when you’re facing issues such as an IP address conflict on Windows.

Static IPs are effective in facilitating IT environments involving remote access. Furthermore, it also provides better network stability. On the other hand, higher costs and the need for manual configuration are some of the downsides. Using a static or dynamic IP address totally depends on your specific needs and requirements.

Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses

The main difference between static and dynamic IPs is that the static IP address stays the same. On the other hand, computers with a dynamic IP have addresses that keep changing over time. It is very easy to move from static to dynamic IP addresses, and no additional software is required.

No IP address solution is perfect. While static IP addresses work best for services requiring a stable connection, a dynamic IP address might work best for connections requiring better security. Dynamic IP addresses are usually assigned automatically by the DHCP server. They are known for their cost-effectiveness and easier management.

When is Static IP Address Needed?

Any feature or service that requires an uninterrupted connection must use a static IP. For instance, constantly changing IP addresses might require the DNS servers to be reconfigured on a router repeatedly. Therefore, to avoid this, they typically use static IP addresses.

Furthermore, static IPs are used by businesses to ease operations with File transfer protocol (FTP), email, virtual private network (VPN) servers, etc. Basic internet features like video streaming, voice over IP (VoIP), web browsing, and email management do not require static IP. However, there are a few scenarios where you’ll be required to use static IPs, which include the following:

• You maintain your own web server.
• You require a high uptime percentage.
• You have employees that work from home.
• You remotely connect to your business computers using VPN.
• Your network requires an IP address instead of a name for a successful connection.

How Static IP Addresses Work?

Most ISPs provide dynamic IP addresses by default. To get a static IP address for yourself or your organization, you may have to contact your ISP and request them to assign it to your device. Once it’s assigned, you can restart your router. This way, your devices will use the static IP address to connect to the network. One of the issues that may arise here is the number of static IP addresses that are available.

To avoid this issue, a new addressing infrastructure called IPv6 was designed. It significantly increases the number of available IP addresses by lengthening the IP addresses from 32 bits to 128 bits. This makes it much easier and less expensive to obtain a static IP from a vendor. Currently, both IPv4 and IPv6 are being used by the internet traffic.Therefore, it is crucial to know the difference between static IP vs. dynamic IP.

How to Set Up a Static IP Address?

You can successfully set up a static IP address by following some basic steps. For that, you must route external traffic to your static IPs by configuring your network. These IP addresses may also be assigned by LAN administrators using DHCP. Additionally, they may also be offered by VPN providers.

Initial Setup

First, you must contact your ISP and ask them for a static IP address. The only detail they might require from you is the Media Access Control (MAC) address of your device.

It is a 12-digit unique identifier assigned to individual electronic devices on a network. This number is usually found on a sticker at the bottom of the device.

Installation Process

Once a new static IP address is assigned to your device, you might need to restart it for the changes to be implemented. If you want to make the changes manually, access the Control Panel of your device and select the Network and Internet or Network Sharing Center option. Then, access the Properties section under the WiFi option.

Click the Change Adapter Settings button and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Here, you can manually add the details related to the DNS server, default gateway, subnet mask, and IP address. Once all details are entered, select OK for the changes to be incorporated. Alternatively, you can look for the IP Assignment button, click Edit, toggle on IPv4, and enter the IP address.

Pros and Cons of Static IP Addresses

Following are some of the advantages of using static IP addresses:

• Preferred for hosting VoPI, VPNs, and online games
• Minimum packet loss
• No renewal requests are required for the IP-address-enabled device
• Faster uploads and downloads
• Easier traffic management for network administrators
• It is easier for geolocation services to access a device using a static IP address.
• In the case of remote access, it ensures a more stable connection

However, there are also some disadvantages associated with the use of static IP addresses:

• Considering that IP addresses are occupied even if the device is off and not in use, it limits the total number of IP addresses available.
• If the original device becomes obsolete, transferring the server settings to another device may become impossible.
• Since static IP addresses are provided on a special request, you might be charged extra for this service.
• A static IP address is more prone to cyberattacks considering that hackers can find your IP address, study the patterns and carry out follow-up attacks. Also, these devices are easier to track.
• The manual setup of a static IP is a complicated task.

Take Away

An IP address is a unique number to identify your virtual location for sending and receiving data over a network. In this article, we learned how static and dynamic IPs are different from each other. A static IP address is a fixed IP address assigned to a device or network that does not change over time.

It differs from a dynamic IP, where the address keeps changing as the device is connected to the network. Setting up a static IP address involves manually configuring the device's network settings. We also learned how static IP may be less efficient and more vulnerable to attacks than dynamic IP addressing.

Internet Technology