Static IP, Dynamic IP and Floating IP What’s the Difference?
The network world is so wide that there are many different concepts in it. For example, when you study a concept like IP, you realize that the concept of IP has a big world. If you are a little curious about IPs, you must have heard of static IP, dynamic IP, and floating IP.
The IP address of your device in the Internet world. It has the same function as a zip code or national code, which is unique for everyone. IP has several different types, which are static, dynamic, and floating.
Each of these IPs has its specific uses and shows its special performance. What is each of these things that we have mentioned and what is the point of this article? If you are also curious about this and need to learn more about IP types, this article is for you. We recommend that you stay with us until the end so that we can introduce you to the specialized concept of IP types in the simplest possible way.
Table of Contents
- What is IP?
- Where does the IP address come from?
- Dynamic IP
- How does dynamic IP work?
- Advantages of dynamic IP
- What are the disadvantages of dynamic IP?
- What is fixed or static IP?
- How does a fixed or static IP work?
- What are the advantages of static IP?
- What are the disadvantages of static IPs?
- What is a floating IP?
- How to create a floating IP?
- When can we use floating IP?
- What are the advantages of floating IP?
- What is the difference between dynamic and static IP?
- How to have a fixed IP?
What is IP?
You have probably experienced online shopping at least once by now. When you enter your address, you know that this address is unique to you and no one else has this address. An IP address is just like an address and is unique, and the name IP is derived from the term Internet Protocol Address. IP is a term made up of numbers that are assigned to any system connected to the Internet that is used to transfer data and information.
IP numbers follow a certain rule. The IP phrase is created from a 32-bit number in base 2, but to improve its readability for users, it is divided into 4 parts with the help of a dot, and as a result, the number of each part is converted to base 10. 123.45.67.8 is an IP address. The thing you should know about IP is that it ranges from 0 to 255; That is, you can see the IP addresses in the following ways:
0.0.0.0
255.255.255.255
Of course, we have an article about what IP is, which you can refer to and read about IP in full.
Where does the IP address come from?
According to the explanations we have given, this question has probably arisen for you that the IP address issued by which organization and how it belong to different systems?
IP generation is done by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, abbreviated as IANA. IANAs assign IPs to Internet Service Providers, and when we as consumers purchase Internet, the device with which we connect to the Internet will have an IP. These IPs are of two types: private and public. To get to dynamic, static, and floating IPs, you must first get to know private and public IP; So read the following section carefully.
Private IP
Every electronic device that connects to the Internet is assigned an IP address. This electronic device can be a computer, laptop, tablet, printer, television, etc., each of which will have its own IP.
Since the Internet is expanding day by day and the number of devices that are connected to the Internet is increasing, therefore the number of devices that need IP is increasing. Of course, keep in mind that the IP address is local and does not require a fee.
Public IP address
Public IP address, which is also known as Public IP, is the main address associated with the entire Internet network. To put it simply, every device connected to the Internet has two IPs; One of these IPs belongs to the device itself and the other IP is the main address of the Internet network.
Public IP addresses are generated by ISPs and ultimately provided to routers. Unlike a private IP, you have to pay a fee to have a public IP.
Public IP addresses are divided into two categories: dynamic, static and floating, we will examine each one separately.
Dynamic IP
This IP is assigned to your system every time you connect to the Internet. Every time you disconnect from the Internet and reconnect, you will be assigned an IP each time. A large number of home devices use dynamic IP.
How does dynamic IP work?
A specified number of IP addresses are provided to different companies. As we said, IPs have different ranges from 0 to 250. For example, some of these IPs are given to the telecommunication company and some others are given to other companies.
These IPs are stored in the pool and when users connect to the Internet, one of these available IPs is assigned to the device connected to the Internet, and when the Internet is disconnected, this IP returns to the IP pool. and is provided to another device.
Advantages of dynamic IP
It is probably interesting for you to know what are the advantages of dynamic IP; In this section, we want to point out the advantages of this type of IP.
Easy management
In dynamic IPs, you can manage your addresses more easily and cheaply. This is more difficult with static IPs.
Easier and automatic configuration
If you have a dynamic IP, the DHCP server automatically assigns the next available IPs to the device and you don’t need to do anything.
Cheaper
Having a dynamic IP address can save you a lot of money.
Unlimited IP addressing
Dynamic IPs allow you to reuse IP addresses.
Your systems are automatically configured with a dynamic IP; To prove this point, consider the example that if you bring a new computer into your home, there is no need to manually remove the old system’s IP.
More security in the network
With the help of a dynamic IP address, the security of your network increases; When someone targets your network equipment, it’s much harder to gain access. Of course, you can hide your IP with the help of IP-changing methods and increase the security of your network.
Better physical security
When you use dynamic IP, it is difficult to find your exact location.
What are the disadvantages of dynamic IP?
Dynamic IP addresses are not suitable for all situations. The reason for this is that they are not well used for internet services such as web or email.
Not good for hosted services
If you plan to host a site, mail server or…, dynamic IP will be a problem for you. The reason for this is that DNS does not work well with dynamic IPs.
Of course, the solution to this problem is to use Dynamic DNS, which increases costs and complications.
Limits remote access
No matter what remote access software you use, using dynamic IPs can cause problems when connecting to your application. Here you can use IP changing programs.
The possibility of more failure
Unfortunately, sometimes the ISP is unable to assign you a dynamic IP. Although the probability of this happening is low, it can disconnect you from the Internet.
location
An IP address can disable all your location services. Of course, you can keep the dynamic address enabled so that it doesn’t reveal your real location.
What is Fixed or static IP?
Static IP is also one of the types of public IP that is assigned to a device by a DHCP. DHCP stands for a protocol that automatically manages the distribution of IP addresses. In simpler terms, it is hosting and IP service provider companies.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
How does a Fixed or static IP work?
Your internet service provider will provide you with a static IP address. When you log in to your ISP, the type of connection you make is considered by the ISP and given a fixed IP. The point that you should pay attention to is that static IP has a cost, unlike dynamic IP, and if you want to use it, you have to pay for it. This IP will be assigned to your device just like a national code and will be unique.
What are the advantages of static IP?
Now that you are familiar with the concept of static IP, it would be a shame not to examine the advantages of static IP:
- Better DNS support
- Server host
- Easy remote access
- More reliable communication
- Easier transfer of files
What are the disadvantages of static IPs?
Since we are going to talk about these IPs without bias, we will examine the disadvantages of static IP.
security problems
(Hackers can obtain the attack process more easily by detecting the location of the server)
- High cost
- Complex settings
What is a Floating IP?
A floating IP is a traceable and routable public address that is not automatically assigned to a system. Rather, in this address, the system manager temporarily assigns addresses to one or more devices based on the type of need.
It can be concluded from this that the device in question has a fixed IP address to communicate with other devices in a private and unchangeable network and can still use a floating IP.
With the help of floating IP, the target device is identified and accessible even outside the network or cloud. If the floating IP address has been set correctly, if there is a problem with the current device, the IP address will be automatically transferred to the next active device in the network to receive information continuously and respond to incoming requests. to be
In the following, we refer to other uses of floating IP.
How to create a floating IP?
The system administrator assigns reserved IP pools that allow users to select IP addresses as available server resources. When the user receives this IP, he becomes its owner; In the sense that he can assign it to his device remove it from his device, or assign it to another device.
The point that you should pay attention to is that even if we completely remove the device from the network, the user’s access to the floating IP will still remain and will not be lost.
The reason for using IP pools is that the different ISPs that exist can use each pool and networks that are outside of the current network can access it.
This ensures that the connection or access is controlled. If there is a problem with the ISP, the user can easily access the IP pool through other servers.
When can we use floating IP?
Any error in communication networks can cause an interruption in the execution of programs. For this reason, developers use floating IP to ensure that the programs they have designed can perform successfully in any scenario.
What are the advantages of floating IP?
In this section, we introduce you to the advantages of floating IP:
Flexibility is noteworthy
You can use floating IPs in failover and switching environments. When you want to use your site or application with the least amount of disruption, you can use a floating IP.
When you upgrade one of the devices, the next device can receive incoming traffic, and in this case, after the upgrade process is completed, the traffic will be directed to the upgraded device.
You can show the final IP
If you have several systems as servers, only the IPs that are reserved will be shown to the end user and the IP address of the server providing the service will not be shown.
What is the difference between dynamic and static IP?
After you are familiar with the concepts of each of the IPs, we will compare these IPs. So if you want to know the difference between static and dynamic IP, read this section carefully.
The difference in cost
Static IP costs money and is not free, but dynamic and variable IP is provided to people for free. If you do not need a fixed IP, it is better not to pay.
Remote work with fixed and dynamic IP
Since many businesses have moved to telecommuting and freelancing, the role of static IP has become more prominent for these people. As we said, a static IP is permanently assigned to a device and does not change, so it is easier for other devices to find and connect to a device with a fixed IP.
The thing is, if the central device has a variable IP, it will be much more difficult to find the IP of that device. Therefore, to do remote work, it is better to use static IP.
Hosting services
One of the companies that always need strong and always connected internet are the companies that provide hosting services. Companies that receive hosting services must be able to connect to the central server. With the help of fixed IP, it is possible to track and find the central server, but the variable IP does not give the device such a possibility.
Fixed and dynamic IP security
Unlike dynamic IP, which is constantly changing, static IP is always fixed, and for this reason, tracking a device can be done faster.
If you also have a business that you don’t want your information to be leaked or hacked by hackers, don’t go for a static IP; Because the possibility of your tracking increases, it is better to go for variable and dynamic IPs.
What is the difference between dynamic and static IP?
After you are familiar with the concepts of each of the IPs, we will compare these IPs. So if you want to know the difference between static and dynamic IP, read this section carefully.
The difference in cost
Static IP costs money and is not free, but dynamic and variable IP is provided to people for free. If you do not need a fixed IP, it is better not to pay.
Remote work with fixed and dynamic IP
Since many businesses have moved to telecommuting and freelancing, the role of static IP has become more prominent for these people. As we said, a static IP is permanently assigned to a device and does not change, so it is easier for other devices to find and connect to a device with a fixed IP.
The thing is, if the central device has a variable IP, it will be much more difficult to find the IP of that device. Therefore, to do remote work, it is better to use static IP.
Hosting services
One of the companies that always need strong and always connected internet is the companies that provide hosting services. Companies that receive hosting services must be able to connect to the central server. With the help of fixed IP, it is possible to track and find the central server, but the variable IP does not give the device such a possibility.
Fixed and dynamic IP security
Unlike dynamic IP, which is constantly changing, static IP is always fixed, and for this reason, tracking a device can be done faster.
If you also have a business that you don’t want your information to be leaked or hacked by hackers, don’t go for a static IP; Because the possibility of tracking you increases, so it is better to go for
variable and dynamic IPs. How to have a fixed IP?
If you are among the people who need a fixed IP, read this section carefully, because we will tell you the methods of having a fixed IP, in the end it is you who should choose one of the mentioned methods depending on your needs. do.
Provision of fixed IP from Internet provider
The first way you can get a fixed IP is to ask your ISP to provide you with a fixed dedicated IP.
Use VPN
The second way we can have a fixed IP is to use a VPN. Once you connect to a VPN, this vpn connects to the manufacturer’s servers and finally a private connection that is completely encrypted and has reliable links is provided to you.
Of course, you should note that free VPNs do not provide you with a fixed IP and only some paid VPNs provide a fixed IP.
Use VPS
VPS or virtual server is one of the best ways to have a fixed IP. A virtual server is a simulated server that is created with the help of virtualization technology. In this technology, from the physical reality of the server, several virtual versions of the server are created that have independent resources and facilities and can be provided to users.
By purchasing vps, it is as if you are buying a very powerful computer system that is on 24 hours a day and you can use it like a computer.
If you also like to have a fixed external IP using vps and operate on sites such as Forex, Binance, and PayPal, you can visit the virtual server purchase page.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about static, dynamic, and floating IP types and talked about the details of each. As you can see, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and you should use one of these according to your needs.
