The benefit of a static IP?

mcwildcard

mcwildcard

mcwildcard

Soldato
Joined
29 Jun 2005
Posts
4,717
Location
London
I'm signing up for O2 BB shortly, I'll be going for their Pro service so I have the option of a static IP address.
I'll only really be using the connection for downloading and PS3, so would I get any extra benefit from having the static IP?
 
Why should I get a static IP address?

There are many benefits to be gained from using a fixed IP address. These include:

* Remote access - With a static IP address you can access your PC no matter where you are in the world. Using programs such as Remote Administrator and PC Anywhere you can log into your work or home PC no matter where you are.
* Running your own website - Installing web server software on your PC allows you to set up your own website and can save you money if you need one for your business, or just want one for personal use. There are plenty of free programs available on the internet but make sure you do your research and check customer reviews before installing anything.
* Emails direct to your PC - Using a static IP address also lets you get rid of your Hotmail or Yahoo! account and set up your own email address with your choice of domain name. Again, this is especially useful if you run a small business. You need to install separate mail server software to do this, but there are free ones available.
* Running an FTP server - File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is an efficient and reliable way to transfer data from one computer to another. Again, specific software must be installed in order for you to set up an FTP site, but this is easy to do and free software is available. You might want to use an FTP site to share files, such as pictures, with your friends and family, or you might use it to enhance your business. Either way, once you’ve set up the site, clients or friends just need to log in to access, edit or uploads files.
* Running a game server - For all those online gaming addicts, having a static IP address means that you can take your gaming to the next level. Most PC games have an option for operating your own server, allowing you to select your own settings and regulate who you let into your game - so you and your friends could have a private game of Battlefield.
* Less downtime - Each time a dynamic IP address refreshes you run the risk of downtime from the server. While this is usually only for a very short time, it can wreak havoc on your gaming. Having a static address eliminates this risk.

Are there any disadvantages?

While the benefits do outweigh the problems of having a static IP address, a few issues should be noted:

* Hacker risk - Having a constant IP address means that once hackers have your number they can keep on attacking. Dynamic addresses change all the time making it more difficult to get into your PC. However, using a router and firewall will help to block access to your computer.
* Keeping your connection running - If you’re using your PC as a server to run a website, receive emails, run an FTP site or a gaming server then you need to make sure that it’s on all the time. Any time it isn’t connected to the internet will result in lost access to sites run from your server.
* FTP security - If your clients are downloading sensitive or confidential files from your FTP site, you need to consider the security issues posed as files and passwords are in clear text and easier hack.

Taken from :

http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/why-get-a-static-ip.html
 
can't see the point of getting pro for your intended uses. the static ip isn't needed and you don't need the faster upload for gaming and downloads. i'd save some cash and get o2 premium. that's a good 7 quid cheaper a month. :)
 
I'm a heavy downloader though, at least 50GB per month.
I figured the Pro service would be the right one for that sort of usage.
Do O2 still not invoke their FUP?

To be honest, if you take the 2 months free into account, plus the £50 cashback from quidco, it works out at about a tenner a month anyway, so still cheap as a Nottingham Brass.
 
For a heavy downloader there's no benefit from Pro over Premium. Pro is only really worth considering if you have an exceptionally good line and want Annex M for the extra upload, which involves sacrificing a bit of download bandwidth anyway.

Most of the benefits listed in that broadbandchoices article can be achieved with DynDNS. Sure that might not be as ideal as a static IP and proper DNS, but then neither is running those services off a consumer broadband connection. The only real benefit I can see is if you rely on VPN tunneling for work or something similar that requires a static endpoint.
 
mcwildcard said:
I'm a heavy downloader though, at least 50GB per month.
I figured the Pro service would be the right one for that sort of usage.
Do O2 still not invoke their FUP?

To be honest, if you take the 2 months free into account, plus the £50 cashback from quidco, it works out at about a tenner a month anyway, so still cheap as a Nottingham Brass.
Click to expand...


Premium is just fine for heavy downloading.. Exact same FUP as pro etc..

With regards to Static IP, I just used www.dyndns.com which works wonderfully with the tomato firmwared WRT54GL router, my IP address hasn't actually ever changed though!!! it seems that the IP goes with the MAC of the router and seems to 'stick'..

I'd save the money personally and go with premium..

Pro is only going to be useful if you can get more then 16MBps sync speed for starters..
 
Mp4 said:
Less downtime - Each time a dynamic IP address refreshes you run the risk of downtime from the server. While this is usually only for a very short time, it can wreak havoc on your gaming. Having a static address eliminates this risk.
Click to expand...

How often does this happen though? Presumably only if the ISP reboots the server, i.e. not very often.
 
On the basis of your suggestions I'll go to the premium service instead.
Will I be able to get my trusty Netgear D834Gv1 working with the service, or am I better off with the O2 router?
 
gillywibble said:
How often does this happen though? Presumably only if the ISP reboots the server, i.e. not very often.
Click to expand...
In the case of Be/O2 it's a non-issue since their dynamic IPs are relatively sticky - chances are if your DSL service does get disconnected you'll reconnect with the same IP. Might be a different story if they're carrying out maintenance, but that's likely to involve extended downtime anyway.
 
mcwildcard said:
Are there any routers out there I could buy which would be better?

I don't like using the 'free' ones that ISPs send, they're cheap and average without exception.
Click to expand...



I use my DG834N (DGTeam Firmware) just as a modem, then a (WRT54GL + Tomato Firmware), being a more demanding user (Heavy Downloader) it's been the most stable setup yet..

You can get DG834GT's cheap of the 'bay, put DGTeam on them, see how you go (DGTeam has some nice SNR tweaking etc in the firmware).. if it isn't stable I'd suggest doing as I did, using the DG as modem, and get a cheap router with either DD-WRT or Tomato running on it..
 
Daegan said:
DG834GT with DGTeam firmware perhaps.
Click to expand...

Agreed! I also use dydns! I have 1 gaming machine and 1 IL2 game server running on my home network and have 2 different dydns names . One for each box. The setup works perfectly with the small utility sitting in the tray awaiting any dynamic IP address changes (rarely happens).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom