What is the Difference Between Static IP and Dynamic IP?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between static and dynamic IP addresses lies in their permanence and how they are assigned. Here are the key differences:

Static IP Address:

  1. It does not change and remains the same for a long time.
  2. It is manually assigned by the user or the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
  3. It is better for businesses, DNS servers, VoIP protocols, and geolocation services.
  4. It works well with VPNs.
  5. It is less secure than dynamic IP addresses, as it is easier to track.

Dynamic IP Address:

  1. It changes periodically.
  2. It is assigned by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server and expires after a certain period.
  3. It is suitable for consumers, home networks, and those who do not want to pay for a static IP address.
  4. It is usually cheaper and more cost-effective than a static IP address.
  5. It is more secure than a static IP address, as it is harder to track.

In summary, static IP addresses are better for businesses and situations where a constant IP address is required, while dynamic IP addresses are more suitable for consumers and home networks, offering cost-effectiveness and security.

Comparative Table: Static IP vs Dynamic IP

Here is a table highlighting the differences between static IP and dynamic IP addresses:

Feature Static IP Address Dynamic IP Address
Provider ISP (Internet Service Provider) DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Changeability Does not change, fixed Changes frequently, automatically assigned
Security Less secure, easier to track More secure, harder to track
Cost Higher, due to fixed allocation Lower, as addresses are dynamically assigned
Use Cases Businesses, servers, devices with static domain names Individual users, consumer equipment, devices with no static domain names
Troubleshooting Simplifies network issue diagnosis Increases complexity of network issue diagnosis

Static IP addresses are provided by ISPs and do not change, making them easier to track and potentially less secure. They are typically used for businesses, servers, and devices with static domain names. On the other hand, dynamic IP addresses are provided by DHCP and change frequently, making them more secure and harder to track. They are usually used for individual users and consumer equipment.