Dynamic and Static IP

[crazysniper22]

Guys whats the difference between Static and Dynamic IP?

I thought that Static IP is your permanent IP assigned by your ISP in order to use their services. But whats Dynamic IP?

many thanks in advance!

[Andy]

Heres an explaination i found from a quick googling:

From the US Robotics Website
A static IP address is always the same. You manually configure your computer to use a specific IP address. Your ISP will provide this address.

A dynamic IP address needs to be assigned to a computer. When the computer is turned on, it will "search" for the Dynamic IP server (in Windows, this may also be called DHCP). Once this IP address is assigned, your computer uses it until it is turned off.

So you were right about static IPs.

[Darthtanion]

Yep... usually you pay a little more for a static IP but this becomes essential if you plan on running a website from your machine. Otherwise the IP address can change and anyone visiting you has to use the new IP.

Of course broadband keeps the IP the same unless you reboot the cable modem or disconnect from the service. The ISP will occassionally refresh the addresses but this is generally very rare.