Static vs. Dynamic IP Address: Similarities and Differences | Fortinet

What Is an Internet Protocol (IP) Address?

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique identifier assigned to each device that accesses local networks or the internet. IP addresses are governed by the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which defines the rules for formatting data sent across networks.

An IP address contains location information that enables devices connected to the same network to communicate and share data. It is composed of a set of four numbers ranging from 0 to 255 separated by periods, which means an IP address can range from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. IP addresses are essential to internet processes—they enable devices to discover, exchange, and send information with each other. An IP address also helps differentiate between computers, routers, and websites.

IP addresses are allocated through the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a division of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit established in 1998 whose primary mission is to make the internet secure and easy to use. 

IP addresses are split into two types: static vs. dynamic IP addresses. This article will explore the difference between static and dynamic IP.