• Whenever a PC is connected to the Internet it will receive an IP address. There are different types of IP addresses. Some addresses are dynamic and some are "static." A Static IP will make a permanent change to what your computers IP address is and gives it a more permanent identity. There are some advantages to having a static IP attached to your PC.
  
  

What Is a Static IP?

• Whenever you connect your computer to the Internet it is assigned a unique address known as an IP address. An IP address acts as a way to identify your PC and set it apart from all the other PCs on the Internet at that time. A Static IP is an IP address that is permanently assigned to your PC and stays with your PC whenever it connects to the Internet. This is different from a Dynamic IP address, which changes every time a computer connects to the Internet.
  
  

Websites

• Static IP addresses are useful for companies or people who are opening or have a website available online. These websites can be set up with a static IP address so they always have the same address, even if they are disconnected from the Internet and come back. If a website has a static IP address, it means you can bookmark it and return to it each day as your computer follows the same numbered address. If a website did not contain a static IP and had an IP that changed constantly when it was connected to the Internet, you would have to search for the website every time you wished to connect to it because its numbered address would be different.
  
  

Gaming

• If you frequent an online game or play on a "remote" server or any other server that requires you to have an IP address assigned to your PC, you may want to consider having a static IP. By having a static IP address, it will make it easier for the host of the game to recognize you each time you return to play. In fact, some game hosts will use the IP address of an individual to track their scores and keep a list of achievements and other data the player has collected or completed in the game. Some game hosts will use IP addresses instead of tracking progress with the use of a "computer cookie."
  
  

Remote Access

• If you use a program in order to remotely access your PC from another location then you may want to consider using a static IP address with that PC. Whenever you remotely access your PC using another PC, you must input the IP address. If you have a dynamic IP address and you turn your computer on and off frequently, then the IP address is going to change, which means that every time you want to remotely access your PC, you will need to know its new IP address. Using a static IP ensures you always know the IP address and will not have to worry about learning a new one each time the PC is connected to the Internet.