What is a Static IP and why is my brother asking to get on my computer to "make one" for his Xbox?

[Moondra13]

I have no idea what it is,google isn't telling me exactly what it is in a way that I can understand. Help would be appreciated,I don't want my brother * it up after we finally fixed the internet for my computer.

<Language, please>

 

[onichikun]

I have no idea what it is,google isn't telling me exactly what it is in a way that I can understand. Help would be appreciated,I don't want my brother fucking it up after we finally fixed the internet for my computer.

In order for your computer to communicate on a network, it needs an address that everyone knows how to reach it by. This address is known as an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Now, how is this address assigned, who assigns it you may ask.

Well there are multiple ways. By default, most routers employ a service called DHCP which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. When you computer gets plugged into a network, it will send out a request and say "Yo I am new here, can you give me an address?" And the DHCP server (typically running on a router) will say "Hey man, yeah your address is : 192.168.1.xxx" or something like that.

Now, DHCP address leases have a lifetime, and every once in awhile the IP address will get changed for some reason (e.g., a new device comes on the network that then takes the place of a previous device because the lease expired). If your brother is using the IP of his Xbox for something, the IP constantly changing means he cant easily access it.

A static IP address is an address that is assigned that will never change, and will never be in conflict with the DHCP assigned addresses, and typically needs to be set on the router / network device where the DHCP server is setup. He shouldn't need to use YOUR computer, just A computer on the network.

Now, it is also possible for him to specify an address he wants WITHOUT changing the router settings, as long as it is outside the DHCP address range (which should be listed on the router config page).

You don't need to understand this, but there is also a network protocol called ARP (Address Resolution protocol) that is constantly asking the network who has what IP address. Computer then respond to the message and says "Hey thats my address!" and the router will keep track of a list of hosts and their IP so it knows how to reach them!

 

[RimStain]

Static IP means your computers IP address (IPv4 or 6) stays the same (static) even after reconnecting to your ISP

The oppisite of this is a Dynamic IP address, which, when it connects to an ISP is allocated and IP address from a pool of available addresses.

 

[USAFRet]

In addition to the above, your brother does not need one for his xbox.
If he insists, ask him to explain why. (in terms that does not include "I saw it on a youtube video")

 

[Moondra13]

In addition to the above, your brother does not need one for his xbox.
If he insists, ask him to explain why. (in terms that does not include "I saw it on a youtube video")

He is a really stubborn prick that wants everything to go his way,and he'll get into fights and fits if he doesn't get it his way. He just came back to the house acting all nice and calm after we kicked him out for a week for nearly killing me by choking me to where I was nearly passing out.

I prefer not to "question his intelligence". Do you know if this is an irreversible thing that he wants to do,or can I just fix it the next day if he messes it up?

 

[USAFRet]

In addition to the above, your brother does not need one for his xbox.
If he insists, ask him to explain why. (in terms that does not include "I saw it on a youtube video")

He is a really stubborn prick that wants everything to go his way,and he'll get into fights and fits if he doesn't get it his way. He just came back to the house acting all nice and calm after we kicked him out for a week for nearly killing me by choking me to where I was nearly passing out.

I prefer not to "question his intelligence". Do you know if this is an irreversible thing that he wants to do,or can I just fix it the next day if he messes it up?

A static IP address in your router is trivial. And changes nothing.
Simply designate an address outside of your DHCP range, and then set that on the xbox.

For instance, if the DHCP range on your router is 192.168.1.2-192.168.1.50, give his xbox an 'static address' of 192.168.1.75. All this means is that the xbox will always have that one. But means exactly zero to the outside world.

A static external IP address comes from your ISP, almost certainly for an extra monthly charge.

 

[onichikun]

In addition to the above, your brother does not need one for his xbox.
If he insists, ask him to explain why. (in terms that does not include "I saw it on a youtube video")

If he needs it for port forwarding that would be reason enough, but I agree that he should definitely say why he is doing it before mucking around