The internet is a complex interconnected web of servers and client devices. Each device needs a way to communicate with one another, much like a person gets given a name at birth to communicate with others. In technology terms, there are a few different naming conventions for systems, including MAC addresses and IP addresses.
With IP addresses, IP stands for internet protocol. The full name is internet protocol address, and this is used to both identify systems and connect directly to them over the internet. Every time you connect to the internet, you will be assigned an IP address, which is a unique combination of numbers. This IP address will remain consistent for a few days or weeks with a broadband connection (unless the router becomes disconnected), or may change each time you disconnect and reconnect over a mobile network.
In this guide, we'll explore the key differences between static and dynamic IP addresses, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What is an IP address?
As explained above, devices use IP addresses to communicate with each other and facilitate connections. Every device on a network is assigned an IP address so it’s able to communicate with other devices on the network.
Every website you visit also has its own IP address. However, since remembering all the IP addresses of different websites would be too difficult, websites’ IP addresses are mapped onto unique domain names using the Domain Name System (DNS). When you type a domain name like ‘fasthosts.co.uk’ into your web browser, the system of DNS servers and nameservers will then find the IP address associated with this domain name and return it to your web browser. Now that your browser knows the correct IP address, it can connect to it and load the website you wanted.
Want to learn more about the Domain Name System? Check out our guide to DNS.
What’s the difference between a dynamic IP address and a static IP address?
A static IP address is a manually assigned, fixed IP address that doesn’t change over time. In contrast, a dynamic IP address is automatically assigned by a network and can change periodically or every time a device connects.
What is a dynamic IP address?
The most commonly used type of IP address is dynamic. This dynamic IP address is subject to change at any time, but will most commonly change after your broadband or mobile connection disconnects. Your internet service provider (ISP) will have a pool of dynamically allocable IP addresses for every user on their network.
Dynamic IP addresses make IP address allocation more efficient and cost-effective, as ISPs don’t need to reserve a permanent address for every user. Instead, they can buy a small pool of IP addresses and rotate them between customers.
Dynamic IP address allocation is accomplished through a combination of Network Address Translation (NAT) and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP servers are responsible for distributing and managing IP addresses in a network, whilst NAT translates private IP addresses in an internal network to a public IP address before transferring information to the internet, enabling private IP networks to use the internet and cloud.
Why are dynamic IP addresses used?
Consider this: what if every device on your network had its own IP address? According to Aviva, every UK household in 2020 had 10.3 internet-connected devices on average. Considering that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that there are 19.2 million families in the UK, that equates to just under 200 million internet devices in the UK alone.
There are two versions of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. Most of the internet still uses IPv4 with a maximum IP address capacity of 232, which is equal to 4,294,967,296 (just under 4.3 billion). However, it’s predicted that each person will own 15 internet-connected devices by 2030, totalling 125 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This means that without dynamic IP addresses, NAT, and DHCP, many of these IPv4 devices would be unable to connect to the internet as there aren’t enough IPv4 addresses to go round.
NB: IPv6 has surpassed IPv4. This new IPv6 protocol has a theoretical limit of over 340 undecillion, or 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 – more than enough capacity to accommodate our internet-connected devices!
What is a static IP address?
Unlike dynamic IP addresses, static IP addresses (also referred to as fixed IP addresses) are set in stone. Rather than rotating upon reconnection, these static IP addresses are reserved for use by a single system. While this isn’t necessary for most users, having a static IP address is particularly important for servers, where multiple client devices will be attempting to connect via the internet. Static IPs are often used for servers, websites, or devices that need constant access, such as security systems or remote desktops.
If your IP address is constantly rotating, it becomes incredibly challenging to provide an easy means of connection for client devices. By making your IP address static, other client devices will always be able to find your server and make a connection.
Why are static IP addresses necessary?
You might wonder: if we use domain name servers (DNS) to convert uniform resource locator (URL) names into IP addresses, why does it matter if the IP address changes?
The answer lies in DNS propagation delays. In this Fasthosts Domain Propagation article, we explain how ISPs update their DNS records every 24-72 hours. This means a day or more could go by without the DNS record being updated after your dynamic IP address changes, leaving your users without a way to connect to your servers. As most people do not use specialist DNS resolver services, their reliance on ISP DNS forces you to use a static IP address.
Static vs dynamic IP addresses: Which one should I use?
Usually, the type of IP address you use will depend on your device and the nature of your connection. For example, devices like servers work better with static IP addresses because this makes it easier for other devices to connect. Plus, static IP addresses are often used in business settings, whereas dynamic IP addresses are much more common in home networks.
Pros and cons of static IP addresses
First, let’s look at the pros and cons of using a static IP address. The benefits can include:
- Easy DNS management
- Easier to find and connect to servers
- Reliable communication between devices
- Reliable geo-location
- Easier remote access with a virtual private network (VPN)
There are also some disadvantages to consider, including:
- More hackable due to the fixed ‘location’ of your device
- Higher fees charged by ISPs
Pros and cons of dynamic IP addresses
Now let’s look at the advantages of dynamic IP addresses:
- Very easy to manage because DHCP servers automatically assign and configure IP addresses
- Can reuse IP addresses
- Better security due to the changing IP address
- Lower costs
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
- Potential remote connection issues
- Less reliable geo-location
- Not as good for hosted services (e.g., website hosting or email servers) because dynamic IP addresses don’t work as well with DNS
- Potential downtime if your ISP can’t assign you a dynamic IP address
How to view and modify your IP settings in Windows
If you want to change your IP address settings yourself, you can absolutely do this with a bit of technical know-how – or by simply following our helpful instructions! To modify your IP settings in Windows:
- Go to the Network Connections window in Settings.
- Press the Windows Key + R to open a run window. Then type ncpa.cpl and press Enter on the keyboard.
- If you are using Wi-Fi, right-click on Wi-Fi Adapter and then select Properties. If you are using a wired connection, follow the same instructions by right-clicking on Ethernet and selecting Properties.
- Now you should see an <Adapter Name> Properties window. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties.
- A window will appear showing configurable settings for your IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. Below that, you have DNS options for selecting your Preferred DNS Server and Alternative DNS Server.
By default, Windows automatically assigns your system an IP address using DHCP. To set a manual IP address, click Use the following IP address: in this window.
How to set a static IP address in Windows
You may not know what IP address to set in this window. Incorrectly doing this will cause your connection to fail, so double-check by following these instructions:
- Open run with the Windows Key + R and type cmd.
- In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig.
- We are using Ethernet in this example, and the following message appeared in Command Prompt. You should see something similar to this:
Windows IP Configuration
Ethernet adapter Ethernet 2:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IPv4 Address: 192.168.1.78
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
- Return to the IP address properties window to edit your configuration.
- The Default Gateway is your router. You would only change this when multiple routers are in use and connected, to designate a preferred gateway for your device. For now, type out whatever is displayed under Default Gateway in your Command Prompt in the properties window.
- The Subnet Mask is useful for nested internal networks. This always defaults to 255.255.255.0, but can be if you run out of allocatable internet IP addresses. You will notice that clicking on the input box will automatically type out 255.255.255.0. Leave this as-is.
- For the IPv4 address, you must use the first three sections of the Default Gateway, with this example being 192.168.1.*. The asterisk can be any number you like between 2-255 (1 and 0 are already reserved by your router).
- Try setting this to 192.168.1.2 and clicking Ok. Your internet connection will reset and attempt to assign the new IP address.
If you can load a webpage in your browser, you have successfully set a static or fixed IP address!
How to view and modify your IP settings in Linux
To check your current IP configuration on a Linux server, start a terminal session (while logged on as a root user) and use the following commands:
- Use the ip command by typing ip address show (modern and widely used)
- OR use the ifconfig command by typing ifconfig -a (deprecated but still available on some systems)
If you want to change your IP address temporarily, use the ip addr show command to view current IP addresses and ip addr add or ip addr del to modify them. However, be aware that changes made in this way are not permanent and will usually revert after a system reboot.
To make permanent changes to your IP address on Linux (for example, if you wanted to set a static/fixed IP address in Linux), you would have to edit your network configuration files. This method varies between Linux distributions, so get in touch with us for further advice related to your specific needs.
After editing your network configuration files, make sure you restart the network service and use the ip address show command to verify that your changes have taken effect.
How to buy a static IP address
Contact your ISP and ask about their fixed IP address or static IP address plans. Static IPs are typically available as an add-on for business broadband packages or as an upgrade for personal users with specific technical needs.
Another option is to purchase a VPN with a static IP. Some VPN providers offer services with dedicated IP addresses as a feature, so make sure you research different VPN offers on the market before making a decision.
Fasthosts customers can also reach out to us to discuss static IP address availability as part of our hosting services. Get in touch with our customer support team at any time for further advice.
Following protocol with Fasthosts
Deliver faster, more secure digital experiences with Fasthosts. Whether you're building a server, running a VPN, or hosting a website, we provide flexible solutions for both static and dynamic IP address needs.
Looking for a UK-based industry leader to host your business website? Call us on 0800 0612 153 or email us at sales@fasthosts.co.uk to discuss your hosting and networking requirements.
