IP addresses are unique identity numbers provided to unique machines which helps in identifying them across networks. It is helpful in sending data to the specified destination. Both shared and dedicated IP addresses have their own benefits, which help in making the web hosting experience better.
For people who have been in the website business for quite some time and want to improve their user’s web experience, a dedicated IP is the best solution.
What is a Dedicated IP?
A dedicated IP, as the name suggests, is assigned to a single owner account. It is the unique identifying address of that particular domain on the Internet.
There are many benefits of a dedicated IP address, but with the increasing number of devices and websites, IP addresses are running out. After all said and done, a dedicated IP address is a very basic feature but it carries a lot of advantages along with it.
Shared vs Dedicated IP Addresses
Before we take a look at shared and dedicated IP addresses, we need to understand about the building block – the IP address. IP in IP address stands for Internet Protocol. It is how data is sent across the network from different places. The most commonly used IP format is IPv4. It has 4 sets, each containing 8-bit fields.
You might have seen this type of IP address. This is the format in which IPv4 is displayed: 192.168.0.1
IP addresses can be assigned only to one of the devices in a network. If let’s say, in a network there are three machines or devices, they will each have an IP address.
However, nothing stops you from sharing a single IP address among multiple domains. For example, web hosting companies use this method to offer shared hosting.
In shared hosting, hundreds of user accounts utilize the same physical server. To keep the service affordable, hosts may share one or two IP addresses for all users on the machine. In instances like this, we call it a shared IP address.
The biggest problem which any user faces with IP addresses is the finite number of combinations which a provider can assign.
Due to this reason, IP addresses have become a very valuable resource. And because it has become a valuable resource, the price has also increased. This is why a dedicated IP address is much more expensive than a shared IP address.
Benefits of a Dedicated IP Address
A dedicated IP address has a number of benefits when compared with shared IP addresses. Some of the major advantages are:
Easy Site Access
A dedicated IP becomes your most beneficial asset when you want to connect to your hosting account from any location. Let’s consider that you want to run an FTP server for quick file transfer to the host. A dedicated IP will help in speeding up the process of transferring these large volumes of files.
Enhanced Server Control
A web hosting can also work on shared IP addresses, but having a dedicated IP address will increase the number of possible uses. This expansion is the result of the enhanced server control that comes along with it.
Some things you can do with a dedicated IP address are:
- Running a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Running a gaming server
- Remotely managing your server
- Handling files in a more agile manner
Hardened Security
Having a dedicated IP address means potentially less exposure to certain security risks. Since the IP is yours alone, you don’t risk an attack on another user accidentally hitting you.
This feature also helps against some forms of cyberattacks, attempting to scan all sites associated with an IP for vulnerabilities.
Better email deliverability
If you use your web hosting account to handle your emails with a shared IP address, there is a high risk of issues cropping up with mail deliverability. Mail servers are especially sensitive to IP addresses and tend to blacklist those they deem dangerous quickly.
For example, if one hosting account on your shared IP address starts sending spam, you may find all your emails getting blocked as well. Having a dedicated IP helps mitigate this risk.
Sometimes Required for an SSL Certificate
Sharing an IP address makes use of a technology called Server Name Indication (SNI). While this will work with most SSL certificates, some may cause issues – for example, compatibility with older browsers.
When it comes to private SSL certificates – a dedicated IP is a definite must, and you cannot activate one without your own address.
How to Get a Dedicated IP Address?
Most web hosting companies offer dedicated IP addresses as an extra option. Before you go ahead and buy one, though, consider getting Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting instead.
VPS hosting plans almost always come with a free dedicated IP address. In some cases, opting for a VPS instead of simply buying a dedicated IP address can come at a similar cost while boosting your overall hosting performance.
Ultimately, you’ll benefit from :
- Dedicated resources
- Better security
- Higher server customizability
- Account scalability
Conclusion
While it is not an essential requirement for web hosting users, dedicated IP addresses bring many advantages to the table. These only increase depending on what you’re doing with your web hosting.
As your website grows, the chances of you needing one will significantly increase. Even if you haven’t been facing any hosting problems thus far – simply upgrading to a dedicated IP can save you a lot of headaches.
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