An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identification (logical address) that is assigned to devices participating in a computer network utilizing the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes.
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The Internet Protocol i.e. IP is a protocol used for communicating data across a packet-switched internet work using the Internet Protocol Suite (also referred to as TCP/IP). IP address is a numerical identification and logical address assigned to a device participating in a computer network utilizing the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes.
A static IP address is a number in the form of a dotted quad that is assigned to a computer by an Internet service provider (i.e. ISP); this is the permanent address on the Internet. When you want to visit abc.com your computer asks a domain name system DNS server for the correct dotted quad number for abc.com and your computer uses the answer it receives to connect to the abc.com server.
It would be easy if every computer that connects to the Internet could have its own static IP number but when the Internet was first conceived, the architects did not foresee the need for an unlimited number of IP addresses. As a result, there are not enough IP numbers to go around. To overcome this problem, many Internet service providers limit the number of static IP addresses they allocate and economize on the remaining number of IP addresses they possess by temporarily assigning an IP address to a requesting Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol DHCP computer from a pool of IP addresses. This temporary IP address is called a Dynamic IP address.
Dynamic assignment of IP address is allocated using a protocol called the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Once DHCP is active, it typically works in combination with a Domain Name System (DNS) to allow users to find an element’s address.
Requesting DHCP computer receives a dynamic IP address for the duration of that Internet session or for some specified amount of time. Once it disconnects from the Internet their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so that it can be assigned to another user. Even if the user reconnects immediately, chances are they will not be assigned with the same IP address from the pool.
However, in case when users who connect to the Internet using dynamic IP, desires to allow other computers to locate them. Perhaps they wish to use CU-SeeMe or use a VoIP application to make long distance phone calls using their IP connection. In that case, they would need a static IP address. The user has two choices and they can contact their ISP and request a static IP address, or they can use a dynamic DNS service.
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