Every electronic device directly connected to the internet has its own IP address. They play an important role in data exchange, and without an IP address, you cannot go online. There are four main types of IPs: private, public, static and dynamic IP addresses. Today, we will look at static and dynamic IP addresses.
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a unique identification number for a hardware device on the internet or on a network.
In other words, an IP address indicates the identity of a device on a network, similar to a home or business address. It helps devices on the network to differentiate, share and communicate with each other. Simply put, different devices have different IP addresses.
For example, if you want to send a package to a friend in another country, you need to know their exact address. This means you need to write down the exact address by looking it up in the phone book. You can’t just write your friend’s name and expect the package to reach the right place.
The process of sending and receiving data over the network is similar to the example above. However, instead of a phone book, the computer uses DNS (Domain Name System) servers to look up a hostname and find its IP address.
To illustrate: You call up a website via a browser, e.g. passwordprotectwp.com. A request to load this page is sent to the DNS servers. Your computer then searches for the host name (passwordprotectwp.com) to find the corresponding IP address. If no IP address is specified, your computer does not know what to look for.
The 4 Types of IP Address
There are 4 main types of IP addresses: private, public, static and dynamic IP addresses. Although we’re going to focus on static and dynamic, let’s look at the basic definition of all of them.
Private IP addresses: These are also known as internal IP addresses. You can set them up manually or automatically. They occur in an internal network, e.g. in a school, a company or an organization. Private IPs can only connect to the local network via a router. This means that your computer cannot communicate directly with an IP other than that of the router to which it is connected.
Public IP addresses: In contrast to private IP addresses, public IP addresses are community IPs. Your computer is authorized to access the global network and communicate between routers. Put simply, you can access any information on the global network.
Static IP addresses: As the name suggests, static IPs are inherently fixed and do not change over time. You must manually configure static IP addresses for devices on the network. A static IP is a fixed address that is reserved for a user or group. It is usually assigned to a server with a specific purpose, e.g. a mail server, web server, etc.
Dynamic IP addresses: These IPs are automatically assigned to each connection or node on the network, e.g. cell phones, desktops or tablets. The DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) adapts the IP addresses of the devices in the network. In other words, dynamic IPs change regularly.
While public and private IPs indicate the location of the devices (inside or outside the local network), static and dynamic IPs indicate their stability. Let’s look at the differences between static and dynamic IP addresses.
Reasons for using static IP addresses
Using static IP addresses can bring you numerous advantages:
- Convenience: static IP addresses provide faster connections because users do not have to assign new IPs. Simply put, a static IP address is similar to an email or home address. It does not change, which simplifies communication and use.
- Reliability: In work environments where multiple computers, business fax machines or systems are used, the use of static IPs should be considered. This is because they minimize the risk of data loss and help computers work together more stably.
- Stability: Static IP addresses do not change, which usually results in a more stable connection.
- Accuracy: With a static IP, the computer knows exactly where you are located. For example, you log on to a weather forecast website with a static IP. You will then receive the weather report you need and not the one for another city.
In addition to these advantages, static IPs also have some notable disadvantages:
- Time-consuming process: the biggest disadvantage of static IPs is that you have to configure the devices manually. Not only do you have to set up the device with an IP address, but you also have to configure the router correctly so that it can communicate with this address. This takes a lot of time and effort.
- Weak security: Since static IPs never change, it is easier for hackers to find vulnerabilities.
- High cost: Using static IP addresses is not a cost-effective method as they often cost much more than dynamic IPs.
Dynamic IP addresses
Dynamic IP addresses are advantageous in many respects:
- Flexibility: dynamic IP addresses are more flexible than static IP addresses. For example, a laptop on the network is assigned a specific IP address. If the laptop disconnects from the network, this address is used by another device on the network. With this type of IP address, there is no limit to the number of devices that can connect to the network. Offline devices disconnect and release the address memory for other devices.
- Simplicity: You do not need to manually assign IP addresses for new devices connecting to the network. All you need to do is activate DHCP on the router. This automatically configures IP addresses for your devices.
- Security: Unlike the static IP, the constant change of the dynamic IP makes it difficult for hackers to determine your exact address. This makes it almost impossible for cybercriminals to track your devices and your whereabouts.
- Low price: As mentioned above, the cost of setting up dynamic IP addresses is usually not as high as that of static IPs.
While this type of IP offers certain advantages, it also has some disadvantages:
- Incompatibility: As dynamic IP addresses are constantly changing, you may experience problems such as IP conflicts on your computer. For example, if you want to host an email server, you should not use a dynamic IP address. This is because DNS servers do not usually work well with dynamic IP addresses.
- Slow connections: Due to the constant changes, a dynamic IP address will slow down your internet connections.
Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses compared
In general, both static and dynamic IP addresses can identify fixed devices on a network. However, there are some differences. The following table provides an overview of the differences between static and dynamic IP addresses:
Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses: A Comprehensive Comparison
Both static and dynamic IP addresses can identify devices on a network, but they differ significantly in several key aspects. This table provides a clear comparison of their characteristics:
| Feature | Static IP | Dynamic IP |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A fixed, permanent IP address that remains constant | A temporary IP address that changes regularly |
| Stability | Never changes once assigned | Changes each time a device connects to the network |
| Assignment Method | Manually configured by network administrators | Automatically assigned by DHCP servers |
| Ideal Use Cases | Web servers, mail servers, FTP servers, VPNs, remote access | Home networks, mobile devices, temporary connections |
| Network Size | Better for smaller networks with specific needs | Ideal for large networks with many devices |
| Traceability | Easily traceable and identifiable | More difficult to track due to changing addresses |
| Security Risk | Higher risk (fixed target for attacks) | Lower risk (moving target, harder to pinpoint) |
| Cost | More expensive to implement and maintain | More cost-effective for most applications |
| Connection Speed | Generally faster and more stable connections | May experience slightly slower performance |
| Setup Complexity | Requires manual configuration and maintenance | Simple plug-and-play functionality |
| Resource Management | Less efficient use of available IP addresses | Optimizes IP address usage across the network |
How to Check if You Have a Static or Dynamic IP Address
Determining whether your device uses a static or dynamic IP address is straightforward with these updated instructions for the latest operating systems.
For Windows Users
- Click the Start button or press the Windows key
- Type “Command Prompt” in the search box
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
- In the Command Prompt window, type
ipconfig /alland press Enter - Look for the “DHCP Enabled” line under your active connection:
- If it shows “Yes“, you have a dynamic IP address
- If it shows “No“, you have a static IP address
For macOS Users
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
- Select System Settings (previously called System Preferences)
- Click on Network
- Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
- Click on Details… (or the information icon ⓘ)
- Go to the TCP/IP tab
- Look at the “Configure IPv4” setting:
- If it shows “Using DHCP“, you have a dynamic IP address
- If it shows “Manually“, you have a static IP address
To switch from static to dynamic IP addresses
Follow the instructions below to change the static IP address to a dynamic IP address:
- Right-click on the network icon and click on the Properties button
- Select Change adapter settings
- Click on Wireless Network Connection and then select Properties
- Click on Local Area Connection to change the IP address
- Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4
- Select the option Obtain IP address automatically. The IP address has now been changed from static to dynamic mode.
- To finish, click OK twice
- Select the static or dynamic IP address that best suits your needs!
Conclusion
There are two basic differences between a static and a dynamic IP address that you should remember. A static IP does not change over time and must be configured manually. The dynamic IP, on the other hand, changes every time you connect to the network and the DHCP server helps you assign the IP address.
No IP address, whether static or dynamic, is perfect for every situation. The choice should be tailored to your needs or situation.
