An IP address consists of a distinctive numeric symbol, which is assigned to each device connected to a certain network in order to be easily detected. It is a basic component of Internet services, and one that is often overlooked by most users.
That is, it is a unique identifier that our device uses when connecting to the Internet, and that works as an identifier for that specific device, being able to provide valuable data such as the provider that offers us the Internet service or our geographical location. .
In most cases, our router tends to assign us a dynamic IP, which changes and rotates from time to time. However, on certain occasions, we may need to activate a static IP, which, as its name suggests, will never change or change, unless we manually modify it again (or return to the dynamic IP option) .
What is an IP address?
An IP address consists of a unique string of numbers that is assigned to a certain device as a form of identification over the Internet , so that other devices can transmit information to it.
We must bear in mind that IP basically means Internet Protocol, so, in reality, it is specific to the Internet, and not to the computer networks themselves or the Web in general.
What is a dynamic IP address?
Most computers or devices depend on dynamic IP addresses . Although it is true that these types of addresses are prone to being changed or modified by the Internet service provider (ISP), it is common for them to remain the same for weeks, months or even years.
Furthermore, the user is not aware of the moment in which an IP change has occurred, since it does not affect daily browsing or the use we commonly make of the Internet in our day to day life.
What about a static IP address?
A static IP address , however, consists of a fixed IP address that does not change even if we restart our computer or the device in question. In case our Internet service provider has also given us a static IP, then the IP address of the router will not change either, even if we restart it.
Dynamic IP addresses are cheaper for providers, precisely because they are assigned automatically. The same does not happen with static IP addresses, which, being fixed, is the user who must assume the additional cost of reserving one or more IP addresses of a specific group; although later they would be free for dynamic allocation.
Therefore, the main difference between both options is mainly in the duration of the assigned IP address , so the static address is set manually for a long period of time, and does not change unless we modify it.
Advantages and disadvantages of dynamic and static IP addresses
For most home users, unless we are experts in networks, the use of a dynamic or static IP is indifferent, as long as there is no type of technical incident in which a router has provided the same IP to two different devices , which could cause a conflict and therefore a malfunction.
In any case, a static IP address can be an excellent choice, for example for a web server or an email server, because they do not change, so users are unlikely to be redirected due to a change in the direction.
Likewise, if the router assigns the same IP to several devices, and this also happens from time to time, then it would be advisable to try, at least, to configure a static IP address on our computer or device.
However, when it comes to security, most experts consider that a dynamic IP address tends to be more reliable than a static one, since they eliminate the time-consuming manual configuration process.
Not only that, but it also tends to be less susceptible to attacks, since they change periodically, not always being the same.
