Static and Dynamic IP Addresses: Everything You Need to Know

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Every computer connected to the Internet has an Internet Protocol (IP) address . However, not all IP addresses look or behave the same.

Understanding the difference between dynamic and static IPs is vital if you work with computer networks or servers. By learning more about each protocol, you will be able to choose the most suitable solution for your needs.

In this article, we will discuss the difference between static and dynamic IPs. We will also help you find out your IP address and explain how to assign a fixed number to it (if that is what you prefer).

Let's get to work!

Introduction to static and dynamic IP addresses
As we mentioned earlier, every Internet-enabled device has an IP address. It can be a unique numeric or alphanumeric string of characters, depending on the protocol you use. Most devices use IPv4 addresses, which look something like 151.164.152.92.

Although IP addresses may seem random at first, they include a bolivia phone number data lot of information about your current network. Here's what each segment represents in the example above:

151.164.xx.xx – This first half of the IP address identifies your network. It can refer to an Internet provider or even a broader set of devices, depending on your location.
xx.xx.152.92 – The second half of the IP address identifies your host and each machine on your network. Not every device on your local network will share the same IP address.
Please note that this is just an example of an IP address. When we talk about “static” addresses, we are referring to a series of numbers that identify your device and never change.

If you have a dynamic IP address, the numeric identifier will change periodically. This adjustment is usually made by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), often without you even realizing it (as it usually doesn't affect your browsing experience).

How to determine what your IP is
Finding your IP address works differently depending on the operating system (OS) you're using. Let's go over the process for both Windows and macOS devices.