# What is IP Addressing: Static and Dynamic Addresses?

> IP addressing assigns an Internet Protocol address and related configuration to a network interface so packets can be delivered within the address’s scope.

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## Content

A static address is configured to remain fixed until an administrator or automation changes it. A dynamic address is selected automatically and may change as a lease, network attachment, prefix, or privacy policy changes.

IPv4 networks use the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for leased addresses and parameters including a default gateway and DNS servers. IPv6 interfaces may use stateless address autoconfiguration, DHCPv6, manual configuration, or combinations of these methods. A DHCP reservation can repeat an address under centralized assignment.

### Key points

- **Selection:** Use stable addresses where other systems must reliably reach a stable service endpoint, and managed dynamic assignment where flexibility and centralized configuration matter more.
- **Lifecycle:** Prevent duplicates, record assignment time and interface context, update name records where required, and plan renumbering instead of assuming an address is permanent.
- **Security consideration:** Treat address-based allowlists and logs as contextual evidence. Addresses can be reassigned, shared through NAT or proxies, spoofed in some traffic, or changed by an attacker with local control.
- **Important limitation:** Static does not mean public, and dynamic does not mean private or anonymous. Neither assignment method authenticates a device or user, authorizes access, or encrypts traffic.

### Related terms

[Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/dynamic-host-configuration-protocol/>) · [Dynamic DNS (DDNS)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/dynamic-dns/>) · [Domain Name System (DNS)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/domain-name-system/>) · [Network address translation (NAT)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/network-address-translation/>) · [Network access control list (ACL)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/network-access-control-list/>)

### Sources

[RFC 2131: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol](https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2131) · [RFC 4862: IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration](https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc4862) · [RFC 9915: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6](https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9915)

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