Compare the best fixed IP and static IP broadband from the leading UK providers including
BT,
O2,
Be and
Eclipse. Fixed or static IP broadband is ideal for users working from home or small businesses who require a fixed IP address for access to services such as FTP or business servers. Several
broadband providers give you the option to take a static IP addresses at no extra cost charge whereas others may charge a small monthly fee.
The number of internet users in the UK has increased dramatically since the mid 1990s, with a reduction in the cost of the technology and a dramatic increase in speeds since the turn of the millennium.
Broadband was traditionally an option for high usage business customers, needing the best speeds and most reliable standards of service. Although similar packages are now available to businesses and to home users, one significant difference does still exist between packages - whether the IP address assigned to the computer is static or dynamic.
An IP address is essentially a way of a network identifying your computer and is needed to send and receive data, in a similar way that a telephone number is needed to receive and send telephone 'data'. Home packages usually include a dynamic IP address, meaning that a new number is assigned to the computer each time you use the network. This makes more efficient use of the network from the internet provider's point of view, as there isn't an 'idle' IP address to take account of - instead, each assigned IP number will be in use.
One of the advantages of a fixed/static IP address is that the computer can be identified immediately across the internet, and the computer using that address can be accessed remotely. This has obvious advantages for business users when travelling, but is also useful for an increasing number of home users who have increasingly data intensive computing needs (e.g. it can be used to access film and music files when on holiday, or to upload new photographs).
A fixed IP also means that a standard computer can be used as a server, when combined with appropriate software. As an increasing number of individuals now own and operate their own website, the security of hosting the website at home can be as attractive as it is for business users. On a similar note, an email server can be set up on your own computer, removing the need for professional servers such as GMail or Hotmail, meaning that emails can be sent directly to your computer.
Other types of server can also be set up on a computer using a fixed IP. An FTP server (file transfer protocol) allows a computer to be used as an access point for uploading or downloading files between multiple PCs. This is useful for large businesses operating on different locations, but can also be used by home customers to share pictures and files with friends and family.
A game server can be installed, allowing private games to be run online, with your own network settings in place with only invited players allowed for play. There is also less down time when using a fixed IP, as dynamic IPs can have some latency between changing addresses, although your computer will need to be always on to keep your installed servers open.
The main disadvantage of having a fixed IP is related to the biggest advantage: the individual computer is easily identifiable on the network. This can make the computer vulnerable to hackers, particularly where the computer is being used as a server, although this issue can be worked around with quality firewall protection, regulating unauthorised access to the computer.
