IP Address

[Force Flow]

Where would be a good, but the most inexpensive place to buy an IP Address?

[Floppyman]

I guess I'm not quite sure what you mean. What would you need an IP address for? Do you want to have your own domain? HTH

[Force Flow]

Not yet. I am looking to set up my own server.

[cameroth]

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I know some people who use this, and they've set up their own ftp server with a static IP. I'm not sure about the cost or anything.

If this sounds anything like what you're looking for:

"Just got a high-speed Internet connection? Want to control your own e-mail or domain name? Don't want to tell friends about that annoying, changing IP address or ISP-assigned hostname?"

www.homeftp.net or http://www.dyndns.org/
(they go to the same place)

Hope this helps.

[glc]

If you are going to run your own server, the first thing you need is a broadband connection that allows servers. The most economical way of running your own server is get a dedicated host, you can get a decent hosting plan for under $10 a month, and domain name registration from GoDaddy is about $8 a year. Hosting over dialup is just not feasible these days, and even home grade broadband is not really ideal because of the very common "no server" rules and the dynamic IP.

[reboot]

Those two sites are just a place to keep a static IP that forwards to your dynamic IP. Every day when you log on, you have to get your IP, and then go to dydns.org and update your section, so that anyone trying to find your site/ftp/whatever will be forwarded to your computer.
If you have the bandwidth to set up your own server, contact the ISP, and pay for a server account, which will give you a static IP, and not void your TOS with them. Running a server without their permission is cause for immediate disconnection.

[Force Flow]

A static IP is the address of the computer, correct? What is a dynamic IP address for, then? Is that a temporary address that changes with each connection session?

My server will be just for webpages. I plan to start out by connecting it to a T1 LAN. What would I need in this case?

If I get an IP from an ISP, would it still be valid anywhere on the net if I physically move the server to a different location? (a few hundred miles away)

Thanks for the heads up on GoDaddy, glc! Just one question though, if they happen to go out of business, would my domain name go unregistered?

[reboot]

People on dialup usually have a dynamic IP. It's within a certain range of numbers, but can change every time they dial.
People on "always on" broadband are considered dynamic, but most IP's remain static, even through repeated resets of the modem, because the ISP uses the MAC address of your NIC to assign it's IP.
Once a domain name is registered, it's yours, and if they go under, you still own it, and can have it hosted anywhere you choose, without paying for another registration.

[Force Flow]

So what type of IP address should I purchase?

[homer15]

i would purchase a static ip address, just to be safe. if say, your server were downed for a couple days, you'd run the rish of your ip address not being renewed and then you'd have a whole new ip address. it's best to avoid all that hassle and stick with a static ip.

[Force Flow]

On this site, http://www.dyndns.org/services/pricing.html , which would be what I'm looking for? The Custom DNS?

Are there any other places that offer static IP addresses?

[cameroth]

with dyndns.org, you can constantly update your address. Basically, you register a free domain and then it reconizes your IP address and Redirects it to you domain name. If you dont update your IP thru the dyndns.org site, it wont work tho. But if you use Auto Update programs such as DirectUpdate or other Client Software that is found on the site, it will auto update your IP on the dyndns.org site so that you alway can use your domain with them. So if you have a dynamic ip right now, you should use the (free) Dynamic DNS (good for 5 hostnames). I don't know anything about how the premium services (the ones you have to pay for) work. You'll have to make sure that your internet service lets you host stuff (as reboot said) or you could get in trouble. I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but it seems to work well.

[Force Flow]

It would be on an already-established network, so would I have to fool with an ISP?

[mairving]

Originally posted by force_flow2002 It would be on an already-established network, so would I have to fool with an ISP?

Well even if it is own an established network you will need an IP address that is registered. Using 10.1.1.xxx or 192.168.1.xxx won't work on the Internet since those are for private networks. I have used TZO in the past with good success.

[glc]

If you are hooking this box into an existing network that has a T1 connection, it's very likely that the T1 comes with several static IP's. Just get the network admin to let you use one of the IP's and set things up accordingly. The T1 provider can assist you with setting up the required DNS once you register a domain name.

[Force Flow]

I was going to do that, glc, but I need to move the server to another location in September. That's why I'll be needing a number that I could use no matter where I install the server.

[glc]

No, that's not how it works. You don't buy an IP address, you buy a domain name. When you move the server, you change the DNS records to point your domain to your new IP address.

You are being a bit vague here - so I'm going to second guess you. You are going to be moving the server to a college dorm room in September? If this is the case, there are the following issues you need to consider. If you are assigned a static IP by the school, it's fairly easy to take care of things, but you will probably have to run your own DNS services on the server. If they assign IP's dynamically, this can be more difficult but it CAN be done.

[Force Flow]

My present school assigns them statically. I don't know about the one I'm switching to.

So how wouldI go about setting it up to work with a static IP?

[glc]

I'm going to yield to people that actually do this to give you the details, but you need 2 things.

1. A registered domain name.
2. DNS.

You will most likely have to run your own DNS server on your server, give it a name, and record that name and your IP address with your domain registrar. Check with some other students, most schools have a bunch of people who do exactly this.

If you were running this on a commercially provided T1, the ISP would provide the DNS. You are on your own with a school network.

[Force Flow]

Unfortunately, no one I know has done this. Otherwise, I would have asked them first.

Well, I guess I'll just have to fool with it. Thanks for all your help, glc! It gives me a starting point.