DHCP and Static IP Addresses

What's the difference between DHCP and Static?

The shortest, simplest answer is this:

• "Static" refers to manual IP Address configuration which never changes unless you change it.
• "DHCP" (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) refers to automatic IP Address configuration which changes on its own. 

To better understand DHCP and Static IP, read on:

In order to be part of a network, every device needs an IP Address. This address is the device's "spot" on the network in relation to the router, which is in charge of the network.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Static Allocation ("static") are the two methods used to assign an IP address to a device on a network:

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is the more common of the two methods, and can be thought of as the "automatic" version of IP assignment. Any router you buy off the shelf will use DHCP by default.

Example:

DHCP can be thought of like a hotel. You show up, ask for a room, and the front desk agent gives you one. They show you where the amenities are and how to get to your room. While you're there, the room is yours. You can get phone calls, meals, and deliveries to your room. However, next time you visit, you will probably get a different room. 

In the case of IP addresses, this is how your cell phone and laptop can connect to networks they have never seen before using only the password (Example: in a coffee shop). The router acts like the front desk agent at the hotel, assigning devices to specific IP Addresses as they join the network (provided they have the right password).

There is a specific "Lease Time" on the IP Address given to each device, and when that time is halfway up, the router asks the device if it would like to renew the lease. As long as the device is within range and powered on, it will keep answering "yes" and it will keep the same IP address. If the device is out of range, it can't answer "yes" and the lease will eventually expire. This leaves the IP address free for another device to use.

Static

Static Allocation is less common in residential and small business settings, and can be thought of as the "manual" version of IP assignment.

Example:

Static Allocation can be thought of like a PO box. You have your key, and you know where your mailbox is and how to get there. When you arrive, there might be no one to help you, but you already know where you're supposed to be. You go to the same box every time, and it belongs to you and no one else.

Similarly, to connect to a static network, a device must already know all of the network's configuration information before it can successfully connect. If any of the information is wrong, the device will either fail to connect, or may have issues after connecting.

What information does a device need for a static connection?

• IP Address
  • The device needs to know where its "spot" is (what IP address it should occupy). It's up to the network administrator or IT personnel to make sure they do not give the same IP address to two different devices, which would result in an "IP Address Conflict." In such a case, one or both devices will have connectivity issues.
  • Example of a typical IP Address: 192.168.001.025
• Gateway IP Address
  • This is the IP Address of the router. The device needs to know the router's address so that it can send information out of the network (through the "gateway").
  • Example of a typical Gateway Address: 192.168.001.001
• Subnet IP / Subnet Mask
  • This is a number in the same form as an IP address that tells all the devices on the network what the size and scope of the network is. A device needs to know the size and scope of its own network, so that it can recognize when you ask it for a resource that is not inside the network.
  • Example of a typical Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.000
• DNS IP (Domain Name Service)
  • This is the IP address of the server (or group of servers) that match "Domain Names" to actual IP Addresses. The "Domain Name" of a website is the address as you probably know it (like www.acumera.com). However, in order to access a website, your computer needs to know the actual IP Address where the site lives. The role of the Domain Name Servers is to keep these addresses up to date and answer requests from your computer when you want to access websites.
  • Example of a typical DNS IP: 008.008.008.008 (This is Google's actual DNS Server Address)