As a VPN user, you would have come across the term ‘IP address’ during one of your searches, and you might be wondering why that term could be so important to you, either as a remote worker or business owner.
Since businesses have had to incorporate increased remote work into their system, vulnerability to risks and threats has also increased. While VPNs have helped businesses secure their networks, they are also advised to have an extra security layer by adding a NordLayer dedicated IP address.
So, What Is A Dedicated IP Address?
A dedicated IP address is also known as a fixed or static IP address.
An IP address, expanded as an Internet Protocol Address, is a unique code that an internet user receives over the internet or a local network as a form of identity. An IP address can be assigned to users’ smart devices, servers, computers, or domains. Your device uses this IP address to communicate to the web server.
In essence, an IP address is a unique identifier that sends valid information about where a device or website in a given network is located. They usually consist of figures separated by periods (x.x.x.x.), from between the range of 0 and 255, turning out to about 4.2 billion combinations that have long been exhausted.
Actually, the IPv4, also Internet Protocol version 4, which was the conventional type, was created in the 80s and used a 32-bit system that wasn’t considered with the possibility of the internet growing very fast. However, we have a new internet addressing system that is called IPv6, and it was created in 1999.
An IPv4 address makes room for a larger number of devices to be collectively connected without repeating a single IP address, creating issues.
Types Of IP Addresses
IP addresses are of different kinds and can be further subdivided into multiple categories.
- Static,
- Dynamic,
- Public, and
- Private IP addresses.
Static and dynamic has to do with the permanency of an IP address. Usually, the static IP is manually created and doesn’t change. On the other hand, the dynamic IP address is not permanent. It is often assigned by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server and can change from time to time.
Dynamic IP addresses are widely used more than the static alternative. They are often used within a stipulated period before becoming automatically expired, and the computer either receives or requests a new IP address. Public and private IP addresses indicate the location of a device used to access the Internet. The public IP addresses are used externally, while the private IP is used internally.
Is Having a Dedicated/Static IP Address Safe?
Dedicated IPs have been proven to be completely safe to use. A fixed IP is specific to you and your business. Private and shared IPs will secure your identity; however, a fixed IP will allow you to decide on specific IPs to connect to a local network.
How Do I Get A Dedicated (Static) IP?
Having a Dedicated IP address is pretty easy. Simply sign up for the NordLayer dedicated server option, and you’ll receive a dedicated IP and a dedicated server that you can only use for private or business purposes.
Now, What are The Benefits of Using a Dedicated IP Address?
Secure Web Access
While various network security strategies are considered to uphold an organization’s secure network, using a dedicated IP will bolster the security features put in place.
Many businesses have designed their networks so that they can only be accessed through a particular IP address. With this method, unwarranted entry cannot be gained into the network. This will also help remote workers from distributed locations access data and resources safely.
You’ll also be able to perform online actions requiring higher security safely. With this, you can also access geo-restricted content based on the destination country selected on your VPN server. Aside from this, you can also lessen the possibility of being blocked by security issues linked with shared IPs.
Reduced Downtime
Every time your IP address refreshes, there’s a potential possibility of experiencing downtime from the server. Though this experience doesn’t last very long, it can have some devastating effects on your business. But with a static IP, you can erase this issue.
Improved Streaming Experience
A dedicated IP gives you a better experience while streaming movies on services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. In fact, you’ll also be able to bypass restrictions on content provided on these platforms. In addition, since your IP will not appear suspicious to these providers, you’ll be able to access the network.
Run an FTP Server
A dedicated IP can help you set up a web or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server on your home or office device. FTP is one effective way to transfer data from computer to computer, and setting it up is quite easy. You’ll need to install some software to do this. It will encrypt your connection and make your internet access private. And you can improve this by restricting FTP access to your static IP.
IP/Server Whitelisting
With the wave of bringing your device (BYOD) and remote work system, your businesses can be at risk of being attacked. But having a dedicated IP address allows you to whitelist IPs so that the firewall will only permit users who have matching addresses, securing your private servers and remote access systems.
