If you’re running a website or hosting account, consider getting a dedicated IP address to improve security and access certain server configurations. But what exactly is a dedicated IP and how can it benefit your website?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the definition and benefits of dedicated IP addresses alongside the common use cases for them. A dedicated IP, or Internet Protocol, is a unique numerical address assigned to a single website or hosting account. This is in contrast to shared IP addresses used by multiple websites and hosting accounts on the same server.
A dedicated IP can give you greater control over your server and unique access, making it an essential choice for specific use cases such as eCommerce sites, secure connections, and custom applications. In this article, we’ll explore these benefits in more detail and help you determine if a dedicated IP is suitable for your website.
What is Dedicated IP?
A dedicated IP, or Internet Protocol, is a unique number given to only one website or hosting account. This is in contrast to shared IP addresses used by multiple websites and hosting accounts on the same server.
A dedicated IP can help your site or hosting account in several ways. It can improve your website’s security by making it more difficult for malicious actors to access. A dedicated IP can also give you more control over how your server is set up and how you can access services like SSL certificates.
In terms of use cases, dedicated IPs can be particularly useful for eCommerce websites that need a secure connection to process transactions and for custom applications that require a unique connection to a server.
A dedicated IP address often provides increased security and flexibility for your online presence. However, it’s also important that you weigh the potential benefits against the added cost of obtaining a dedicated IP when deciding if it’s the right choice for your website or hosting account.
Shared IP Address
A shared IP address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address that is used by multiple devices or websites simultaneously. This means that several devices or websites share the same IP address, which can make it difficult to track individual device or website activity.
Shared IP addresses are commonly used by internet service providers (ISPs) to provide internet access to multiple customers at the same time. In contrast, a dedicated IP address is assigned to a single device or website, and is not shared with any other device or website.
Difference Between Dedicated IPs and Shared IPs
Dedicated and shared IPs are the two types of internet addresses that can be assigned to a website or hosting account. While both serve the same primary purpose of connecting a website to the internet, there are some key differences between the two. Let’s check them out:
Control and Flexibility
With a dedicated IP, your website or hosting account has its unique internet address which means you have complete control over the server and can access it directly. On the other side, shared IP addresses are used by multiple websites and hosting accounts on the same server which may limit your control and access to certain configurations.
Performance
With a dedicated IP, your website can load faster because it doesn’t have to share resources with other websites on the same server. Shared IPs may experience slower loading times if the other websites using the same IP address are experiencing high traffic or using up a lot of server resources.
Security
With a dedicated IP, your website or hosting account is more secure because it doesn’t share an IP address with any other sites while shared IPs may need to be more secure since multiple websites use the same IP address.
Cost
Dedicated IPs typically come with an additional cost while shared IPs are usually included in the price of a hosting plan.
Use Cases
Dedicated IPs may be necessary for certain use cases such as eCommerce sites needing a secure connection to process transactions or custom applications requiring a unique server connection. Shared IPs may be sufficient for basic websites or hosting needs.
Benefits of Dedicated IPs Address
Improved Security
A dedicated IP can provide increased security for your website or hosting account by making it more difficult for malicious actors to access.
When you have a shared IP, your website shares an IP address with other websites and hosting accounts on the same server. This means that if one of these websites is compromised or targeted by malicious actors, it could affect the security of all the other websites sharing the same IP.
With a dedicated IP, your website has its unique internet address that is not shared with any other websites. This makes it more difficult for malicious actors to access your website, as they would need to target your IP address to do so specifically. This way, a dedicated IP can provide an extra layer of protection for your website.
Faster Loading Times
With a dedicated IP, your website has its unique internet address and is not sharing server resources with any other websites. This can result in faster loading times for your website, as it differs from other websites for server resources.
Overall, faster loading times can improve the user experience for your website visitors and positively impact your search engine rankings.
Access to Certain Services
Another advantage of using a dedicated IP is that it can give you access to certain services that may require a unique connection to a server.
One example of such a service is an SSL certificate. SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a technology that encrypts data transmitted between a website and a user’s browser, helping to protect against cyber threats such as man-in-the-middle attacks. To work correctly, SSL certificates often require a dedicated IP address.
A dedicated IP can also give you greater control over certain server configurations and access to certain services or resources. This can be particularly useful if you are running an eCommerce site or custom application requiring a unique server connection.
Access to certain services and resources can help improve the security and functionality of your website. A dedicated IP can be an important part of getting this access.
Greater Control
With a dedicated IP, you have full control over the server and can access it directly, which can help make certain configurations or use certain services.
With a dedicated IP, your website has its unique internet address and is not sharing the server with any other websites. This can give you greater control over the server and allow you to make certain configurations or use certain services that may not be available with a shared IP.
For example, you may need to make certain server configurations to use certain software or plugins, or you may need to use a specific service such as an SSL certificate. With a dedicated IP, you can make these configurations and use these services without worrying about restrictions or limitations.
Setting up a Dedicated IP Address
VPN Dedicated IP Address | Easy NordVPN Dedicated IP Setup – YouTube
Setting up a dedicated IP address for your website or hosting account typically involves a few steps:
Examples of how to set a dedicated IP address on NordVPN
- Purchase a NordVPN subscription that includes a dedicated IP address. This service is available as an add-on for an additional fee.
- Select a location for your dedicated IP address. NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
- Connect to NordVPN and log in to your account.
- Click on the “Settings” tab and then click on the “Advanced” tab.
- Click on the “Dedicated IP” tab.
- Click on the “Add Dedicated IP” button.
- Select the location for your dedicated IP address and click on the “Add” button.
- NordVPN will now set up your dedicated IP address and email you the details of your new IP address.
- Once your dedicated IP address is set up, you can use it by connecting to NordVPN and selecting the dedicated IP location from the server list.
It’s important to note that the exact steps for setting up a dedicated IP address on NordVPN may vary depending on your Device and the version of the NordVPN app you are using. Contact NordVPN’s customer support team for assistance if you have any issues or questions.
FAQs for What Does Dedicated IP Mean
There are several reasons why you might need a dedicated IP address: to improve the deliverability of emails, to use SSL certificates, to access a dedicated server or VPS remotely, to use a custom domain name, for enhanced security, for improved tracking, or for dedicated IP-based services like VPNs.
Getting a dedicated IP address for your home network is possible, but it is generally optional. Most home networks use dynamic IP addresses assigned by the internet service provider (ISP) and can change over time. If you need a dedicated IP address for a specific reason, such as running a server or a VPN, you can request one from your ISP.
Yes, it is possible to have more than one dedicated IP address. Some hosting providers offer packages that include multiple dedicated IP addresses, which can be helpful if you need to run multiple servers or websites.
One potential drawback of using a dedicated IP address is that it can be more expensive than a shared IP address. In addition, having a dedicated IP address may make it easier for hackers to target your website or network, as they will know the specific IP address to attack. Implementing strong security measures to protect your website or network if you are using a dedicated IP address is essential.
A dedicated IP address can provide some benefits for your website. Dedicated IP addresses are used to secure your website and prevent malicious actors from accessing it. It also provides faster loading times, as your website will not compete with other websites on the server for resources. It also gives you access to certain services or resources that may not be available with a shared IP.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a dedicated IP address is an internet protocol address that is exclusively assigned to a single device or website.
While it may come with a higher cost, a dedicated IP address offers more control, improved reputation, and increased security compared to a shared IP address. It is a valuable asset for businesses that require greater control over their online presence and need to maintain a positive reputation.
By understanding the benefits and limitations of a dedicated IP address, businesses can make informed decisions and optimize their online performance.
