{"id":21430,"date":"2019-03-04T08:27:06","date_gmt":"2019-03-04T13:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=21430"},"modified":"2019-02-05T15:30:07","modified_gmt":"2019-02-05T20:30:07","slug":"web-hosting-dedicated-ip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/web-hosting-dedicated-ip\/","title":{"rendered":"Web Hosting With a Dedicated IP"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re exploring your options for dedicated hosting there are a lot of terms and technologies you\u2019re probably not familiar with. One of those being a dedicated IP address. <\/span><\/p>\n

A dedicated IP is different than <\/span>dedicated server hosting<\/span><\/a>, but often the two are linked together. You can get a dedicated IP address without having to <\/span>upgrade to dedicated hosting<\/span><\/a>, but usually, a dedicated IP address will be paired with a dedicated hosting environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

If that sounds a little confusing, don\u2019t worry. Below we\u2019ll break down what a dedicated IP address actually is, how it differs from a standard shared IP address, and finally how <\/span>web hosting<\/span><\/a> with a dedicated IP works, and why you might want it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is a Dedicated IP Address?<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, we\u2019ll look at what an IP address is. IP stands for Internet Protocol, so your IP address is your Internet Protocol Address. Essentially an IP address is a locator or identifier for any computer that\u2019s connected to the internet. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your web host\u2019s server is technically a computer, so this computer will have an address that identifies and defines their location on the internet. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These IP addresses are mapped to certain domain names. So, you can technically type an IP address in place of a domain name and actually land on the same website. <\/span><\/p>\n

A dedicated IP address is an IP address that\u2019s assigned to your website and your website alone. Sometimes this can be paired to your server environment too, but usually, it\u2019s connected directly to your site. <\/span><\/p>\n

On most hosting accounts the IP address that comes with your account will be a shared IP address. This IP address will be used by any website who\u2019s sharing the server environment. So, in the case of shared hosting, this could be hundreds or thousands of other websites. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Dedicated vs Shared IP Address<\/span><\/h2>\n

The discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of <\/span>dedicated and shared IP addresses<\/span><\/a> is actually quite a lively debate. Part of this is due to the natural evolution of certain technologies. A lot of the big advantages that used to be attributed to using a dedicated IP address have disappeared. Now, using a dedicated IP can still be beneficial for certain users, but it just doesn\u2019t carry the weight it once did.<\/span><\/p>\n

The difference between a dedicated IP address and a shared IP address is pretty straightforward. Their names alone suggest the biggest difference. A shared IP address will be used by multiple websites who are also sharing the same server environment. While a dedicated IP address will be used by a single website. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can think of a dedicated IP address like your cell phone. Chances are you have a unique number that you don\u2019t share with anyone else. While a shared IP address could be like an old-school landline or home phone. When people call that number they could be looking for a certain person in your house, but anyone can answer the phone. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s are the biggest ways that shared and dedicated IP addresses differ:<\/span><\/p>\n