DHCP vs Static IP: Which One is Better?

There are several factors that contribute to which type of connection is selected. Many people use DHCP or Static IPs to set up their internet connections. However, it is also possible to configure DHCP and Static IP on same network, but it may be quite hard for non-techie people.

Is it better to use static IP or DHCP? How to find out whats my real IP and connection type? It is the most asked questions by internet users today. When you are looking to find an internet connection, some people will always prefer a dynamic protocol, while others will choose to use a static address.

We’ll discuss some of the main differences between the two in this article.

So, in today’s article, internet users will get answers to the following questions:

• Is DHCP faster than static IP?
• Is DHCP safer than static IP?
• When should you not use DHCP?

So, stay tuned!

Static IP vs DHCP:

Static IP:

A static internet protocol address is an unchangeable internet protocol address for a device, typically assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). A Static address is needed for devices such as servers and mail servers to make sure they don’t lose connection because their address was changed.

Advantages:

Provide Better Protection:

A Static internet protocol may be a better option for those who require the utmost level of protection and security. The Static protocol ensures that your address will not change.

It also prevents network attacks by creating different ports to help secure your computer connections. If you want the constant assurance of high-level protection, then a Static protocol is the way to go.

Fast Speed:

One of the advantages of a static protocol is speed and convenience. It provides fast speed due to low discrepancies linked with static protocol. Not only does this type of address offer the fastest speed available, but it also provides reliable connectivity.

Provide Remote Access:

A static IP helps you maintain remote access to your computer, which can be helpful if you don’t have Wi-Fi or an internet connection at all times. Usually, people pay for this service because they have websites that need constant attention, and they want to be able to access their computers remotely without extra effort.

Disadvantages:

Limited Number of Available Addresses:

A static IP is often desired for stability, yet that also limits the number of available IP addresses. If an internet protocol address is assigned to any device, then it will be unavailable to be allocated to another device. Even if people do not use that device, until it is connected to the address, it can’t be used by any other device.

Easy to Track:

If people don’t want their internet service provider to know what sites they visit, a static IP address may not be the best option. Since the static address remains the same, it makes it easier for an ISP to track where people go on the web because they can identify their computer by its unchanging Internet Protocol address.

Manual Configuration:

Setting up a static IP is not easy. It requires manually configuring each device, which can be time-consuming. If you are not skilled at the configuration of routers, it may take you hours to configure all of your devices and machines with a static IP address.

DHCP:

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and is a standard that provides a way to automatically assign IP addresses and other information to devices on a network. It relieves administrators of the hassle of manually mapping IP addresses for each device by assigning them dynamically, instead.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using DHCP.

Advantages:

Easy to Implement:

When the network is new, it’s often beneficial to have a system that allows for easy configuration. DHCP is just such a system. With DHCP, all that is needed is to set up the number of IP addresses one wants available, and they are automatically assigned.

No Additional Costs:

The cost of DHCP is the only cost to set up a network. This is advantageous because organizations do not have to incur more expenses, including the purchase of additional licenses, computers, or installation. Additionally, DHCP does not require any special attention once it is set up and running.

Disadvantages:

Unauthorized Access:

One of the disadvantages is unauthorized access to IP addresses. Without adequate security measures, anyone with access to the network could obtain an IP address without authorization and then use that address for malicious ends.

Single Point of Failure:

Disadvantages of using DHCP arise when one node or server goes offline or becomes unavailable, which can cause all other devices containing this IP address to stop functioning until it’s fixed.

So, this was the comparison between Static and DHCP internet protocol. People can choose one according to their needs. For example, for dedicated high speed and security, they can go for Static protocol, otherwise DHCP. It is also crucial to keep the address hidden using a VPN for online protection.