My Next ISP use's Static IP address? What are the Pro's and Con's of having Static IP

[malice19]

My Next ISP that i am looking to change to use's Static IP address? Is this ok for torrents/P2P ect downloads/uploads?

Is it safer to have a ISP that give you a dynamic IP address?

In other words,
What’s the Pro and Cons of having a Static IP?

Thanks for the help

[chuckskull]

Static IP's are useful for torrenting to make it easier to track ratios, but it's not to important unless you're using software like direct connect.

Some people think dynamic is safer, but not really as your ISP keeps logs of who uses what IP at what time.

[directhex]

a static IP, as the name suggests, doesn't change. so unlike with dynamic, if you disconnect from the net (e.g. unplug your router) then reconnect, your IP address remains the same.

an advantage is that you always know the IP address of your machines, making it easier to run external services like FTP

the disadvantage is that other people always know the IP address of your machines, allowing them to (for whatever reasons) better track what that address does, or block it, or whatever.

[aidanjt]

Pros:
====
Static IPs:
Fix point of referance, lets you assign additional hostnames to your IP, if you host game servers for your friends they don't need to keep asking you for your current IP. Basically it makes things much simpiler to run any kind of service.

Dynamic IPs:
Unfixed point of referance (depends on your point of view whether this is a good thing), if you IRC a lot and tick off some script kiddie and he decides to DDoS you, a simple disconnect/reconnect frees up your connection. Saves your ISP from having to 'buy' more IPs (although since most DSL connections are litterly always connected via routers this argument is mostly null point anyway), simplifies IP allocation for the ISP.

Basically, Dynamic IP allocation was mostly brought about because of the increasing lack of IP address available, one of the few IPv4 problems IPv6 will address when it gets underway. I personally prefer static IPs because its less hassle for me.

[Jay]

if you run a VPN, FTP or webserver they are a fantastic.

if not then they are not much use really.

[kopite]

I have 8 isps with my isp(5 useable)

I couldnt live without at least 1 static ISP. Makes RDP a dream for checking things from work.

[streetster]

I have 8 isps with my isp(5 useable)

I couldnt live without at least 1 static ISP. Makes RDP a dream for checking things from work.

8 IPs with your ISP

[badass]

I have a /27+1 block of IP addresses making 31 usable.
Can anyone beat that for a HOME connection
Bet someone tries to point out I am wrong and actually have 30 or 29 usable

[Splash]

Bet someone tries to point out I am wrong and actually have 30 or 29 usable

You're wrong and you actually have 30 or 29 usable.


Seriously though - why? I have 8 which is fine - all are in use, and I toyed with the idea of asking for 16 but smacked myself with the clue stick when I thought about it...

[directhex]

we had that many when i was a student - one per machine, where all 6 people in the house had a minimum of 2 machines

[Splash]

Crikey, and I thought I was bad! Were all uses of a static IP justified? (ie could NAT not have been used for any of them?)

[badass]

You're wrong and you actually have 30 or 29 usable.


Seriously though - why? I have 8 which is fine - all are in use, and I toyed with the idea of asking for 16 but smacked myself with the clue stick when I thought about it...

My binary maths was a bit wrong - I meant to ask for a /28 and instead asked for a /27
There are good reasons for 14 IP addresses in thgis case, but I cant be arsed to go into them here
However I them as occasionally it is handy having that many and whenever anyone gets into an IP address based dick waving contest for home connections I always win

[Splash]

However I them as occasionally it is handy having that many and whenever anyone gets into an IP address based dick waving contest for home connections I always win

The long winter weekends must just fly by

[Jay]

I really cant see any use for all those IPs unless you wish to remote desktop more than one system on your network

[Splash]

Even then you can change the RDP listening port. I have 8 (5 usable) and I find that I can get by with 4 usable ips.