Static IPs

[Spinal]

So I've been told I need a static IP at home...

I've emailed VirginMedia support, but I'm fairly sure they don't offer static IPs... which is really sad as they've finally done something right, their 50mb service doesn't have any download caps!

Now I see that NTL:Telewest has survived as VMs business branch... and I'm tempted to get their 20mb service, even though it has a fair use policy... does anyone have any experience with them?

One of my requirements is that there is no proxying or blocked ports (and preferrably no traffic shaping) - does anyone know if they fiddle with my data?

My only other alternative unfortunately is to get both VM and a third party, using the third party when I need to VPN into work and VM for everything else...

Thanks,
M.

 

[wemorgan]

This is all a bit beyond me, sorry. So the only thing I can add is that a friend who also wanted a static IP went with Pipex and was generally happy with their service. I also think my father has a fixed IP with Tiscalli and he thinks they're rather poor. HTH a little.

 

[blondebier]

What do you need a static IP for?

No-IP might be an answer depending on what it is you need one for...

See : No-IP - Dynamic DNS, Static DNS for Your Dynamic IP

 

[Gridlock]

VM's IPs are fairly static anyway, provided you keep the modem turned on and connected - I run a VPN through my 20Mbit service and I think the address has changed once in 2 years.

 

[Alfie]

What do you need a static IP for?

No-IP might be an answer depending on what it is you need one for...

See : No-IP - Dynamic DNS, Static DNS for Your Dynamic IP

To run a webserver from home. To ensure that only I can get into trusted networks in the office... the list goes on......

F2S offer fixed IP's.

 

[blondebier]

To run a webserver from home.

NO-IP is ideal for that...

I can see that in certain scenarios you need one. I was just trying to save the OP some money as most ISP charge extra for a fixed IP.

 

[MercFanUk]

I use VM, and also don't have a static IP. I run a development server at home, and use Every DNS (Completely Free) to provide DNS for myself. Theres also a handy little app that updates your IP every hour or so with the service incase it changes. Never had a single problem with it.

Real simple, entirely free, and you can point ANY domain you like at the DNS (Not just crappy free ones, real ones.).

 

[Spinal]

Thanks - I do need a static IP - I did consider a Dynamic DNS service, but it's a requirement from my employer that I have a static IP (it gets added as a rule to a firewall somewhere... not the safest method, but it's a step in the right direction). There are other reasons as well, but you'll have to trust me on this - I need a static IP address... Nothing to do with webservers - I have a webhost for that...

NTL didn't call me back - not a good start! I would go with ADSL/ISDN, but I'm so far from the exchange that I would barely get 1.5mb downstream! I'm really hoping that NTL or VM work out!
m.

 

[proser]

Well apparently they do provide statis IPs. have a look HERE half way down the page under Business Broadband, Phone & Calls comes with:

 

[stevesey]

Thanks - I do need a static IP - I did consider a Dynamic DNS service, but it's a requirement from my employer that I have a static IP (it gets added as a rule to a firewall somewhere... not the safest method, but it's a step in the right direction).

Thought that might be one reason - client I'm based at has similar rules for all external access, be that development partners, any B&B links (just been involved on some changes to allow people like moneysupermarket through).

Like others I use a dynamic servive at home for my web-server/firewall/server PC - also with VM and my IP hasn't changed for ages.

 

[Spinal]

Well apparently they do provide statis IPs. have a look HERE half way down the page under Business Broadband, Phone & Calls comes with:

Yes sorry - I was distinguising between VirginMedia "consumer" and VirginMedia Business by referring to one as VM and the other as NTL:Telewest.

I'm hoping the consumer branch allows static IPs - would really same me a load!

M.

 

[davidjpowell]

Good luck. I had a similar discussion with BT. I was under contract and only the commercial product would give static IP which costs quite a bit more.

It got better, because I was in contract still they wanted to charge me up to the end of the contract as a penalty to move to the commercial product. They did see sense. Eventually.

 

[Noodle-Pulp]

I got a static IP from BT for an additional 3 or 4 quid a month.. and this was on Residential.

At the time I needed it for VPN (working from home) and for a Web Services API Project I was working on (moonlighting).

Since then I've switched back to Dynamic because I don't need either anymore.

 

[jonnyboy]

this is all relative double dutch to me, the reason i searched for static ip's is that its one of the freebies on a higher-end broadband package i'm considering.
any chance someone could explain it in laymans terms for me please?

for reference, what i am trying to achieve is replaced overpriced orange bband at home office, and also be able to access my files etc from a netbook + mobile bband whilst out of the office, we already have a decent netgear router which i dont want to replace so the difference in the free routers is not really a temptation.

thanks guys

 

[Dryce]

this is all relative double dutch to me, the reason i searched for static ip's is that its one of the freebies on a higher-end broadband package i'm considering.
any chance someone could explain it in laymans terms for me please?

When you connect to the internet your broadband router needs an IP address. That way when you browse the web the web server at the other end knows where to send the pages you're looking at back to.

Now most ISPs allocate addresses dynamically. So every so often your address may change. You don't notice. It's just being used to let other computers on the web know where to respond back to.

However if that address is fixed then it is a static IP. You always talk from the same address.

Now if you want to talk to your office and they know you have a speific address they can block access to other addresses (bit like Caller ID).

Also if you want to set up your own web server you need a fixed IP address so that yourserver.com can point at it. Bit like having a known phone number to call for information.

 

[jonnyboy]

Thanks Dryce, so does that mean that if I want to connect back to the office pc with all my records on it I will need a static IP then ? I'm not really sure how tht works to be honest but its probably what i need? My ideal case scenario is thatI can sit in the van on site with my boys, I can do some paperwork/invoices on a nebook and send a message back to the office to print them, the documents are stored on the office pc ?

 

[agatward]

Spinal, stick your BT landline number (if you have one) in the box at the top of http://www.bethere.co.uk/ - I've used this ISP for around 18 months now as I can't get Virgin Media where I live.

Absolutely no problems with them, great tech support (on a freephone number) and I'm getting 15Mbit downstream, about 2km from the exchange.

Your other option, depending on which VPN protocol your work uses, is to get a shell account somewhere and use port forwarding. This won't work with PPTP or IPSEC, but if they use the newer SSL VPN then it will work just fine.

 

[Deker]

Thanks Dryce, so does that mean that if I want to connect back to the office pc with all my records on it I will need a static IP then ? I'm not really sure how tht works to be honest but its probably what i need? My ideal case scenario is thatI can sit in the van on site with my boys, I can do some paperwork/invoices on a nebook and send a message back to the office to print them, the documents are stored on the office pc ?

No, if you are using different wireless access points there's no way you could have a staic IP - it's the access point which gets the static address so every time you went to a different site (with a different access point) the IP address you are connecting on would change.

Basically an internet IP address is the postcode and door number of the access point you go through to get on the Internet - your PC/netbook will have an IP address for the local network but that wont be seen on the Internet (just from the access point)

What you will need for your solution is a software VPN (Virtual Private Network) that will make your PC/netbook to connect you your work network over the internet (basically creating a secure tunnel between your PC and your work network over the Internet no matter which access point you use).

Hope some of that makes sense.

Derek

 

[Spinal]

Had a short chat with NTL today... apparently they wont sell the 20-meg line with a static IP for "technical" reasons... but they will happily charge you £49 for a 10-meg line with a static IP... hummmm....

This is starting to feel annoying... according to SamKnows I can get about 512k on ADSL2 where I live... I'm about a mile (as the crow flies) from my hub... humbug...

Going to chat again with NTL sales tomorrow see if they have a better solution!
M.

 

[goldestate]

Looking in on this post and sounds just what I need but the head is not working well enough for new facts today have marked it for later.