Before we explain a static IP address we should first explain what an IP address is… an IP address is an address assigned to a device when it accesses the Internet.
The easiest way to think of an IP address is just like a postal address. Like a postal address is a location that a letter is delivered to, an IP address is your computer's address where internet traffic is delivered.
An IP address is assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP or Broadband Provider – e.g. Spark). When you first signup with your broadband provider (ISP), you are either assigned a static IP address or a dynamic IP address depending on the contract and your request. If you need to setup a web server or an email service, you'll need a static IP address. If you are just browsing the Internet for normal purposes, you will probably just get by with a dynamic IP address, which is the ‘standard’ issue.
A static IP address is an address that is permanently assigned to you by your ISP (as long as you’re paying your bills!), and a static IP address does not change even if your computer reboots or you add a new device etc. A static IP address is usually assigned to a server hosting websites, and providing email, database and FTP (File transfers) services.
A static IP address is also assigned to a commercial leased line, or public organization requiring same IP address each and every time. If you have a static IP address assigned to you, you'll have to manually configure your machine (router or server) to use the static IP address assigned to you.
If all of the above is making no sense… then that’s cool – you don’t need a static IP, just sign up with your new broadband provider and take what they give you!
1. The IP address does not change – this is good and required for web servers, email servers and other Internet servers.
2. Use DNS to map domain name to IP address, and use domain name to address the static IP address. Similar can be achieved with Dynamic DNS for dynamic IP address, but it's not as clean as the static IP address.
1. More expensive than dynamic IP address – NZ ISPs generally charge an additional monthly or fixed fee for static IP addresses.
2. Need additional security - Since same IP is assigned to a machine, hackers try brute force attack on the machine over period of time.
If you need a static IP address then you’re at the right place. We list and you can filter according to ISP’s in New Zealand with Static IP address as a service.
Compare Static IP address broadband providers here.
