When you are looking to host your website then there are various essential factors that you need to consider. When you come to host your website on shared hosting then there might be some issues
For that, it is necessary to have dedicated IP web hosting that offers certain features that you need to understand.
Below in this article, you will find What is IP address, how shared and dedicated IP addresses differ from each other with the benefits of dedicated IP hosting. So you can easily decide whether you should go with this or not?
Now let’s start with the definition first.
What Is an IP Address?
First, IP stands for Internet Protocol, and it is defined as a unique string of numbers, assigned to each computer that is connected to the internet.
With the help of a dedicated IP address, you can access your website by typing the IP address.
IP address is a part of the Domain Name System (DNS), where all domain name associated IP addresses are stored. So the ISP is able to look up the domain name, and see the associated IP address.
DNS is the system that can be used to tie domain names to IP addresses.
The domain name was developed because it’s easier for people to remember as compared to numbers. A single server can have more than one IP address but it needs at least one to be publicly available on the internet.
What Is a Shared IP Address In Web Hosting?
Generally, a shared IP address is more common than a dedicated IP address. A Shared IP address that is used to share between multiple domains.
It can host multiple websites. This can be one, two, or even more clients can use the same resource. It is also possible to have a shared IP address even if you are not using shared web hosting.
Example – If you have managed WordPress hosting then still it is possible to use a shared IP address. So, without sharing server resources, you could have a shared IP address.
With shared web hosting, it is possible to share server hardware and networking features with a number of users.
What Is a Dedicated IP Address in Web Hosting?
A dedicated IP address plays the role of a unique identifier that is used to provide a valid address to a website in a given network.
It is a unique address that does not shared with any other domain names. So, when you type IP address then it will directly open to your website.
Example – you can simply take the example of your home, your home address is your IP address, while a home is your website.
Both dedicated and shared IP addresses are great with their own features. Now let’s talk about how they differ from each other.
What is the difference between a Shared and Dedicated IP address?
Now that, we have seen what are what shared and dedicated IP address. The difference between them is pretty simple.
1. Most of the web hosting service providers provide both shared and dedicated web hosting services. With shared web hosting, space on a server is provided on rent. Here you can share server resources with many users, which helps to keep the cost low.
With dedicated hosting, you can have your own server on rent. In this, server resources are dedicated to single users. So the cost of a server will be higher. But with the higher cost, you can get more features such as storage, bandwidth, performance, and security.
2. With a shared hosting plan, a single IP address can be used for different websites within one web server. In this case, the webserver has to do some extra work, need to send the user’s request to the dedicated website.
When a website having a dedicated IP address means it has its own website address. You can use IP address and domain name to access websites.
Specific SSL Certificate Needs IP Addresses
To secure your websites you need SSL certificate. And to obtain that SSL certificate there is a need for a dedicated IP address.
A new technology Server Name Identification (SNI) makes it possible to obtain SSL certificate without a dedicated IP address.
Sometimes your web hosting providers must demand an IP address for an SSL certificate.
If you are running an eCommerce store and having any other websites then there is a need to secure your website data. To improve the security of your website you need SSL certificate.
Benefits of Having a Dedicated IP Address
There are so many benefits to having a dedicated IP address for a website hosted on a dedicated server. Let’s talk about the main benefits of dedicated IP hosting
1. Easy Website Access without changing the DNS setting
Sometimes it is important to check how a website will look before launching your website on the web. With the help of a dedicated IP address, it is possible to access the server without changing in DNS setting for your domain name.
Example – If you want to see how your website looks before launching it. With a dedicated IP address, you will get direct server access, without changing DNS settings.
2. High volume of website traffic
If you have a website and that drives high traffic then it is important to have dedicated IP. The dedicated IP hosting will help your site to increase site loading speed.
3. Useful for the email service
With the shared Ip address, there are a number of difficulties, and with the same, it may also affect email services.
Sometimes there are situations when users block or blacklisted shared IP addresses that may affect your email service. So using a dedicated IP address it is possible to separate your email service from the abuse results.
4. Need for Private SSL Certificate
SSL certificate is used to improve website security. It will help to keep safe and secure your website data.
A dedicated IP address is a requirement to install an SSL certificate. It’s not a must to have a dedicated IP address but it depends on your web hosting providers.
Finally, a dedicated IP address provides high security and high performance.
5. Needed To run particular applications/scripts
If you want to run particular applications and script at that time there may be a need for a dedicated IP address.
6. Less downtime with dedicated IP address
When your IP address gets refreshed there may be a risk of downtime. This is only for a very short time. But when it comes to the shared server it will definitely affect.
So it is important to have a dedicated IP address that eliminates this risk.
Should I go with a dedicated IP address?
If you have a website and that is new there may be no need to have dedicated web hosting. But if your website has high traffic then dedicated IP will be beneficial for you.
Dedicated Ip address has many advantages that will improve the web hosting experience with security also. If you are looking for the above features then you should go with a dedicated IP address.
