Before diving into the technical aspects of “Static vs. Dynamic IP,” it’s important to first understand how the internet works and what IP addresses actually are. Ready? Let’s get started.
An IP address is a series of numbers separated by decimal points, such as “123.456.78.9.” It uniquely identifies your computer on the internet. There are two main versions of IP: **Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4)** and **Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)**.
– **IPv4** is the standard currently used worldwide. It’s quite old, and we are running out of available addresses, which means that, at some point, adding more devices online could become a challenge.
– **IPv6** is the newer standard designed to solve this problem. However, it has been slow to gain widespread adoption.
Every device connected to the internet has two IP addresses: a **public IP address**, which is visible to the internet, and a **private IP address**, which is used within your local network and isn’t visible to the outside world.
For example:
- A public IP might look like: 95.76.13.5 or 175.122.10.1
- A private IP might be: 192.168.1.8 or 10.5.32.16
(And yes, there are literally billions upon billions of possible IP addresses!)
So, how do IP addresses work? Imagine the postal service as an analogy.
When you send a package to a friend, you need to specify the destination address. In computer terms, that destination is called a **destination IP address**.
Think of the postman who takes your package. He looks up the delivery address in an address book to find out where to send it. On the internet, this process is handled by something called a **DNS (Domain Name System) server**. Your computer will ask the DNS server, “Do you have the IP address for example.com?”
(If you’re interested, I can explain more about DNS in a separate discussion.)
Once the postman knows the exact address and the best way to get there, he sends off the package. Similarly, when the DNS server finds the IP address, it responds, “Yes, the IP address for example.com is 123.456.7.8,” and the data is then sent to the destination.
In essence, this is how IP addresses work!
It’s also worth mentioning that when people claim they have your “IP,” they often don’t mean your actual public IP address. Instead, they likely have the IP of your local exchange or network provider.
What is a Static IP Address?
A static IP address is one that remains constant and does not change. There are several benefits to having a static IP, such as enhanced stability and reliable uptime. These types of IP addresses are often assigned to servers in business environments where consistent connectivity is crucial.
Unlike dynamic IP addresses, static IPs do not automatically refresh after a certain period (like 30 days). Instead, they must be manually updated if a change is necessary.
What is a Dynamic IP Address?
A dynamic IP address, on the other hand, changes after a preset interval, such as every 15 or 30 days. For instance, you might have an IP address of 182.154.12.6 today, but in a few weeks, it could change to 182.154.12.8.
In enterprise settings, dynamic IP addresses are managed by a **DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server**. This server assigns IP addresses from a pool to all the computers on a network and returns any unused addresses to the pool for future use. Your home router is a simple example of a DHCP server, as it automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on your network.
One of the key advantages of dynamic IPs is that they are generally more secure than static IPs. The constant changing of addresses reduces the risk of being targeted or tracked. Additionally, dynamic IP allocation helps ensure that no two devices accidentally share the same IP address, though rare instances of overlap can still occur.
Why is it so Hard to Ban a User?
Banning a user based on their IP address can be quite challenging, especially when dealing with dynamic IP addresses. If a user has a dynamic IP and their address changes, they can easily return to the chat room with a new IP that hasn’t been banned yet.
Even if a user has a static IP, banning them isn’t foolproof. They can change their static IP address and reconnect, requiring the new IP to be banned again.
The problem becomes even more complex when considering the vast range of IP addresses in use. We can’t just block large ranges of IP addresses (a process known as “scoping”) to prevent users from returning. For example, banning a range like 175.0.0.0 to 175.255.255.0 would inevitably block legitimate users from accessing the site, which would be unfair and counterproductive.
In short, the sheer number of IP variations and the constant changes make it difficult to effectively ban problematic users without affecting innocent ones.
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