What is a static IP address for home networking?

Question

I asked this earlier and did not really get an answer as to what it is and what I can do with it so here is the question again.

I have a desktop and two wireless laptops and am getting DSL tomorrow (switching from comcast). Im getting the wireless modem. What will this "static IP" thing allow us to do

Answer 1

There are many benefits to be gained from using a fixed IP address. These include:



* Remote access - With static IPs you can access your PC no matter where you are in the world. Using programs such as Remote Administrator and PC Anywhere you can log into your work or home PC wherever you are. Although you can set the connection up regardless of what type of IP address you have, you need a fixed address to maintain it otherwise the program will no longer be able to find your computer when your PC refreshes its dynamic address.

* Running your own website - Installing web server software on your PC allows you to set up your own website and can save you money if you need one for your business, or just for personal use. There are plenty of free programs available on the internet but make sure you do your research and check customer reviews before installing anything.

* Emails direct to your PC - Using a static IP address also allows you to get rid of your Hotmail or Yahoo account and set up your own email address with your choice of domain name. Again, this is especially useful if you run a small business. You need to install separate mail server software to do this, but there are free ones available.

* Running an FTP server - File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is an efficient and reliable way to transfer data from one computer to another. Again, specific software must be installed in order for you to set up an FTP site, but this is easy to do and free software is available. You might want to use an FTP site to share files, such as pictures, with your friends, or you might use it to enhance your business. Either way, once you’ve set up the site, clients or friends just need to log in to access, manipulate or uploads files.

* Running a game server - For all those online game addicts, having a static IP address means that you can take your gaming to the next level. Most PC games have an option for operating your own server, allowing you to select your own settings and regulate who you let into your game – so you and your friends could have a private game of Battlefield.

* Less downtime - Each time your IP address refreshes you run the risk of downtime from the server. While this is usually only for a very short time, it can wreak havoc on your gaming. Having a static address eliminates this risk.

Answer 2

It is more or less the norm today for ISPs (comcast, qwest, verizon....) to use DCHP (dynamic host control protocol) to assign ip addresses (like an address for someones house) automatically. What this means is that the router you use (usually a little box that connects to the incoming line from your isp) will lease an IP address from the ISP.



Typically the lease will expire in defined amount of time at which point your router will check for a new ip address (its not uncommon for the router to recieve the same ip address as before). What this does mean is the that ip address used by your router can change from time to time.



A static IP address does not use the leasing system once you router is assigned an IP address, you keep the IP address as long as you have service. The ip address does not change



So what good does a static IP address do? This really depends on how you use your computers and home network. People usually want a static IP address if they are going to remote connecting to their home from another location (i usually conntect to my home computer from work). Another place where this comes in handy is if you have a web server and serv up a web site from a computer at home.



So basically if you dont user remote access or have a web server, its not really an advantage.



Hope this helped.

Answer 3

It's basically a single IP address assigned to you. Rather than obtaining a different address every time you connect to the network, you will have one static address. Not much should change from what you did with Comcast. I assume that you have a wireless router connected to Comcast. You can use the same and connect it do DSL. The wireless router will assign IP addresses to your wireless devices. Those will most likely be dynamic using a protocol like DHCP. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Static IP address means you get a fixed IP address, one that does not change as the modem boots or reconnects.



The benefits are convenient remote access. Not that you cannot access remotely with a dynamic IP address, but it's troublesome, because you have to know what IP address your hardware currently has.



For example, you can set up your own private web server on your PC and when you are outside, you can access your web site (that you host on your pc) by typing http://yourstaticipaddress on the address bar of the internet explorer.



Some people use static ip address for remote monitoring of their home, such as remote video surveillance system. You can connect an IP camera directly to your modem that connect to a static ip. So when you're outside your home, you can check and view the camera remotely by typing http://yourstaticipaddress. Say you have an alarm system that dials you your phone when it triggers, you need to know if it's false alarm or a real break in, you could just connect remotely to view your house from your hand phone.

Answer 5

All IPs that start with 192 are internal, and you don't need to block them out.. There is no way to know, since the router or DHCP server assigns them at random, you must use your router to find the address locations of your local network. Within windows, the command ipconfig /all can show your current local IP address, such as 192.168.1.25/26/27 etc. You can run it on each computer to see.

Answer 6

first of all, is a devils blessing in my opinion. when you have dial-up (not saying you did) you always get a new ip every time you log in... because you are using a different connection each time you log on. now, with a fixed ip (aka static) it basically means that your ip adress stays the same, making it easier for anyone to track you through your ip address. now, if you like hacking onto computers... its not good since to change your ip is hard when its fixed to your modem. you have to call your isp, ask them to change it, and wait for them to send the new address to your modem. not cool if you do lots of hacking. but, hacking is illegal, so you shouldnt have that problem in the first place. in short, its more of a tracking idea from the fuzz... that is in my opinion. now, if you want to constantly change your ip address... you may be doing something you shouldn't. so, stay with the static providers, and dont do anything illegal... you should stay out of trouble that. wow, i barely answered your qeustion did i? lol, my bad

Answer 7

have no idea wat u r talkin about