Difference between Static and Dynamic IP address

A computer network comprises various devices that share data and resources like servers, desktops, routers, laptops, and switches. These devices are linked via a wired or wireless medium. Every device in a network has an address that enables it to be identified. As a result, this type of address is known as an IP address. The IP address allows network system devices to interact with one another.

Furthermore, IP addresses are classified into two categories, and they are static and dynamic IP addresses. A static address is a fixed IP address that is allocated to a system device. In contrast, a dynamic address is a temporary IP address that changes frequently.

In this article, you will learn about the difference between a Static IP address and a Dynamic IP address. But before discussing the differences, you must know about Static IP addresses and Dynamic IP addresses with their advantages and disadvantages.

What is a Static IP Address?

Static IP addresses are fixed that are manually assigned to a system device. It was the initial technique of assigning IP addresses to network devices. On the network configuration page, the network administrator manually inputs the IP address for every system. In addition, the administrator should specify data like the subnet mask and default gateway. Additionally, this process had to be carried out on all of the network's devices. As a result, it is complex to allocate the IP addresses to an extensive network of devices.

Moreover, the static address is not changed until it is directly updated by the network administrator or the Internet Service Provider. Furthermore, this address does not change with each network connection. In other words, the device always connects to the internet through the same IP address. As a result, static IP addressing has numerous advantages. It provides remote access with less downtime. Furthermore, the user may access the device from any location.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Static IP Address

There are various advantages and disadvantages of a Static IP Address. Some main advantages and disadvantages of Static IP Addresses are as follows:

Advantages

1. It permits users to operate remotely using a VPN.
2. It is a more reliable connection because it is fixed.
3. A static IP address might make it easier to locate specific network devices.
4. It makes it easy for the user to find an IP address using DNS.
5. The geolocation services are more accurate with static IP addresses.

Disadvantages

1. Static IP addresses are more expensive than dynamic IP addresses. ISPs typically charge a premium for them.
2. Anyone with the right tools may locate the devices using a static IP address. VPNs may assist with this.

What is a Dynamic IP Address?

The dynamic IP address is typically configured on devices via the DHCP protocol and regularly updates. The dynamic IP address constantly changes whenever the user links to a network. The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server employs a method for tracking and retrieving IP address information associated with active network components. The mechanism utilized for translation in dynamic address is known as Domain Name Server (DNS).

DNS uses the IP address and the mapped domain name to establish the specific place of the network element and send network traffic to it. The DHCP and DNS are two protocols that are widely used while accessing the internet. When a user connects to the network, DHCP assigns her a temporary dynamic IP address. When a user enters a URL into the browser's address bar, the DNS server transforms the domain name into the IP address needed for web page delivery.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dynamic IP Address

There are various advantages and disadvantages of Dynamic IP Addresses. Some main advantages and disadvantages of Dynamic IP Address are as follows:

Advantages

1. The DHCP server handles the full dynamic IP address configuration. The DHCP server allocates IP addresses one by one when required.
2. It is more adaptable in terms of implementation, and it is considerably simpler to handle and configure. Additionally, it may be utilized multiple times. A system device with a dynamic IP address may reuse the address if it regularly disconnects.
3. A dynamic IP address is less expensive. The cost of the ISP is usually lower because it is configured automatically. As a result, dynamic IP addresses are a cost-effective option.
4. It makes it more difficult for attackers to locate the networked devices. Because the dynamic IP address may change regularly, it's much harder to locate a device. It supports both offline and internet security and may also help boost security by utilizing a VPN.
5. It enables the users to reuse the IP addresses. The network will automatically configure a new dynamic IP address for a device as required.

Disadvantages

1. It is also less dependable because of frequent outages. It may cause the connection to fail. As a result, a dynamic IP address is not recommended for online gaming or other services such as VoIP and VPN.
2. All home networks that use dynamic IP addresses are inaccessible from the outside network. Remote access is more challenging because the IP address changes frequently.
3. A dynamic IP address may also experience downtime in some cases. When this occurs, the ISP will have a problem allocating a dynamic IP address. The internet connection will eventually be lost.
4. Using a dynamic IP address may be inconvenient if you want to host a website, email server, etc. DNS doesn't work effectively with dynamic IP addresses because they constantly change. This issue might be resolved via a dynamic DNS service. However, they add cost and complexity.

Main Differences between Static and Dynamic IP address

Here, you will learn the main differences between Static and Dynamic IP addresses. Some main differences between Static and Dynamic IP addresses are as follows:

1. A static address is a permanent numeric address that is manually issued to a network device. In contrast, a dynamic address is a temporary IP address assigned to a device or node when it connects to a network.
2. Since the static IP address is fixed, it cannot be changed unless the user specifically requests it. On the other hand, the dynamic IP often varies each time a user connects to a network.
3. The device may be tracked if it is set up with a static address. In contrast, tracing a device with a dynamic IP address is difficult because the IP address is constantly changing.
4. The ISP (Internet Service Provider) configures static IP. In contrast, the DHCP may configure dynamic IP.
5. Static addresses are appropriate for dedicated services like VPN servers, FTP, and mail. On the other hand, Dynamic IP addresses are appropriate for a large network that needs an internet connection for all devices.
6. Static IP addresses offer less security. On the other hand, the dynamic IP address provides greater security.
7. Due to the consistency of static IP addresses, website hacking is a considerable risk. In contrast, dynamic IP addresses pose little risk.

Head-to-head comparison between Static and Dynamic IP address

Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparisons between Static and Dynamic IP addresses. The main differences between Static and Dynamic IP addresses are as follows:

Conclusion

IP addresses allow network devices to interact with one another. IP addresses are classified into two types: static and dynamic. The major difference between static and dynamic IP addresses is that static addresses are fixed addresses that are manually allocated to devices by a network administrator. On the other hand, Dynamic addresses are allocated to devices automatically by a DHCP server.