Difference Between Static IP and Dynamic IP

 Static IP vs Dynamic IP

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a label made up of numbers, which is assigned to devices that are connected to a network. It is used to identify and communicate with a device on a network. Static IP is a permanent IP address assigned to a computer by an internet service provider (ISP). Each time that computer connects to the Internet that particular IP address will be used and it is not changed. Dynamic IP address is a temporarily assigned IP address through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

What is a Static IP?

A static IP is a permanently assigned IP address by an ISP to a device connected to a network. There are some advantages of using static IP addresses. For example, there are some network devices that do not support DHCP. In such a situation, using a static IP would be the only option. Also, static IP addresses are more reliable when it comes to name resolution. Due to this reason, it is better to use static IP addresses with web servers and FTP servers. Also, static IP addresses are more suitable for VOIP (Voice over IP) and gaming. But having a static IP address is quite expensive. Further, assigning static IP addresses to all the devices is not possible since there would not be enough IP addresses (with IPv4), and therefore most of the ISPs limit the number of static IPs they provide. With the introduction of IPv6, the address space was increased (since the address length was increased from 32-bits to 128-bits). This would make the static IP addresses less expensive and easier to maintain.

What is a Dynamic IP?

A dynamic IP address is an IP address that is temporarily assigned to a device. After assigning static IPs, the remaining address pool is used for this dynamic address assignment. Providing a dynamic IP from this pool is done through the DHCP. A computer has to request for a dynamic IP through the DHCP and this provided address will last for a specified amount of time. When that particular computer is disconnected from the Internet, the dynamic IP goes back in to the pool and it can be assigned to another requester. So, this is a very economical way of using the limited number of IP addresses available in IPv4. Also DHCP eases the task of the administrator, since it will automatically assign IPs to the customers.

What is the difference between Static IP and Dynamic IP?

Static IP is a permanent IP address assigned to a device by an ISP, whereas a dynamic IP is a temporary IP address assigned to a device. Dynamic IP addresses are assigned automatically using the DHCP protocol from a pool of IP addresses, only when a user wants to connect to the internet and it is put back in to the pool when the user disconnects. So, dynamic IP provides a method to use the available IP addresses economically unlike the static addresses, which are permanently assigned. Further, Dynamic IP is less expensive and therefore it is better to be used for typical access of the Internet. But static IPs are better suited for Servers, VOIP applications and gaming.