Dynamic IP and fixed IP have many differences, as well as specific pros and cons when using each. It is worth remembering that IP is a code assigned to each device connected to a network. Besides each device having a number, the standard also has differences, such as fixed IP and dynamic IP, each responsible for an address. It is worth mentioning that fixed IP and static IP do not have the same meaning.
Below, learn all the advantages and disadvantages of dynamic IP and fixed IP and understand the details of the codes. Working statically or dynamically, IPs offer configurations with pros and cons for each user. One of the standards, for example, is more suitable for large companies, while the other may not work so well for computers that use VPNs.
What is IP?
IP, in general, is a numerical code assigned to each device connected to a network. Since this number is unique to each device, it can be thought of as an address for that device. For example, if your home network has five devices connected, each of them will have a different IP for that network.
There are also different instances of IP as if they were layers: the IP of your devices on your home network and the IP of your network in the eyes of the Internet. On your network, your computer can be found at the address 192.168.0.100, for example.
However, on the Internet, your PC’s address will be referenced to the code assigned to your router by the Internet service provider, which can be – and indeed should be – quite different from the 192.168.0.100 we used as an example.
To better understand dynamic and fixed IPs it is very important to first make clear that your computer has two different and independent IPs. The first is your internal network code, symbolized by 192.168.0.100. The second is an IP tied to your modem, fixed or not, assigned by your carrier, and which is seen by the Internet as your network address. Let’s say this number is 255.102.75.214.
What is dynamic IP?
Dynamic IP is the most common and refers mainly to an address that always changes, usually when you turn on your modem, or at intervals of time set by your ISP. It is the ideal standard for home use since it does not require the best performance equipment and does not depend on slightly more advanced knowledge for configuration and maintenance.
In practice, speaking strictly from the point of view of a home user, the use of dynamic IP may have only one major drawback. It is a solution that makes the use of VPNs a bit more difficult.
VPNs serve, among other things, to hide your IP address. If your IP is dynamic, this process can end up becoming a bit inefficient, depending on the service you use.
In addition, there is another factor involved in dynamic IP. Since the address is subject to change all the time, your network needs to negotiate the use of an IP. This is done via a protocol called DHCP. It works in the background and allows your computer to negotiate and obtain a dynamic IP address when needed.
This negotiation can slow down your Internet connection a bit, hampering download and upload speeds. However, these interferences are minimal and if they annoy you, there is the option of fixed IP, where DHCP does not exist.
Another disadvantage of dynamic IP is for you who for some reason want to install a network server. If the IP changes all the time, accessing that server can become challenging. You will never know for sure what the address of the machine on the Internet is. However, server configuration by home users is quite rare.
What is a static or fixed IP?
Fixed IP is rarer and in some cases, it is offered by the ISP for additional fees. As you can deduce from the explanation about the dynamic one, the fixed code is an unchangeable IP address. That is, your computer will always have the same address as long as it is connected to the network with the fixed one (if you take your laptop on a trip and connect from somewhere else, it will have a different IP).
So what is the advantage of this model? The fixed IP is ideal for users who need to be sure about the address of their network on the Internet. Suppose you have a server for your company, or you need to create a kind of personal cloud for files that can be accessed via FTP. In this case, fixing the network IP is essential, since you will always have access to these resources by simply accessing them directly through the fixed IP number assigned by your ISP.
It is worth pointing out that fixed IP and static IP do not have the same meaning. This is because you can define a static IP in your network, while the fixed IP is provided by your ISP
Fixed (static) IP in your home network
An important detail, in this case, is that when we talk about a fixed IP in the home network, we are referring to the IP address determined in the router. It is possible to do this yourself and this configuration does not depend on or require the participation of, your ISP.
Technically the invariable IP in a home network should be called static IP, not least to avoid confusion with the fixed IP which refers to your Internet access, as explained at the beginning. However, the two names are used for both all the time, so there is all this confusion about fixed/static IP for the home network and fixed/static IP for the Internet.
In this scenario, fixing the IP of these devices in the router can be very beneficial. By assigning a fixed IP to these devices you have the opportunity to do port forwarding in the router, a procedure that can make your performance in games and downloads much better.
Another advantage of using a fixed IP in your internal network is the end of the risk of conflicts caused by devices trying to use the same IP address. Learn what is IP conflict on the network and how to solve the problem in this TechTudo guide.
Do you need a fixed IP?
No. Operators hardly meet this type of need for home users, reserving the offer of fixed addresses for business plans. In the unlikely event that your ISP makes the service available to any subscriber, be aware that the costs can be staggering.
Dynamic IP works very well. For those who need the Internet only for accessing, playing games, sending data and files, and downloading, this solution is extremely secure and efficient.
If the Internet plan being considered is for a company, the situation is different. The fixed IP can be decisive for the installation of a high-performance network that provides services such as e-mail to employees.
Do you need static IP in your home network?
This depends on several factors, but in general, if you have many devices connected to the same router and would like to privilege access for some devices, setting static IPs is always a good policy. Video game consoles and PCs used for downloading and multiplayer games, for example, benefit sensibly from static IPs and port forwarding.
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