Fixed and changing addresses.
WHAT AN ADDRESS IS
The identifier your connection presents to the internet.
WHAT A DYNAMIC ADDRESS MEANS
It changes periodically.
WHAT A STATIC ADDRESS MEANS
It stays the same.
WHY IT MATTERS
Some things require a consistent address.
WHAT NEEDS ONE
Hosting a service others connect to Remote access to your premises Whitelisting with a supplier or bank Site-to-site connections Mail sent directly from your premises
WHAT DOES NOT NEED ONE
Ordinary browsing, email and hosted services.
WHAT TO ASK A PROVIDER
Whether a static address is available, and at what cost.
WHAT CARRIER-GRADE TRANSLATION IS
Several customers sharing one public address.
WHY IT MATTERS
Incoming connections become impossible, and some services misbehave.
HOW TO TELL
Compare the address your router shows with the address the internet sees.
WHAT A MISMATCH INDICATES
You are behind shared addressing.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Request a public address, or use a service that does not depend on one.
WHAT ALTERNATIVES EXIST
Dynamic address services that track changes Remote access services that work outbound only
WHY OUTBOUND-ONLY SERVICES HELP
They avoid the problem entirely, and they are more secure.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
Your addresses, and where they are whitelisted.
WHY
Changing provider breaks every whitelist.
