June 02, 2009
The Shared vs. The Unique IP Address
One term most internet users recognize is IP address. Though quite familiar, many have know idea of what an IP address is or how it impacts a website. In this article we will go over its importance and explain the difference between a shared and unique IP address.
What is an IP Address?
For beginners, an IP address is a machine code expressed in 32-bit numeric form and written as four numbers separated by periods. These four numbers can range from anywhere between 0 to 255. When requesting an HTML web page or sending an email, the IP (Internet Protocol) part of TCP/IP includes the IP address of the sender and then transmits it to the IP address of the server you are trying to communicate with. Each machine connected to the internet is assigned a static or unique IP address in order to communicate with one another. In simple terms, an IP address is analogous to your residential address at home. If someone sends you a letter, they write down your address on the envelope, put it in the mail and it is delivered to your mailbox. An IP address essentially works the same way.
The Hosting Factor
When it comes to web hosting, there are essentially two types of IP addresses: shared and unique. Although there is really no difference in the actual IP address itself, there are some differences in terms of the servers they lie on. A unique IP address refers to a website that has its very own IP address. This means that whether a visitor types in your domain name or IP address, they will be directed to the same web page. A shared IP address refers to the situation in a shared hosting arrangement where all websites on the sever share the same IP address. In this instance, the server is forced to do a little extra work when receiving a request in order to take the visitor to the correct web page. With the shared variation, simply typing in the IP address will not direct a visitor to the desired web page on most occasions. So, what is the purpose here? Well, if every internet website had its own IP address, there wouldn't be enough of them to go around.
Using our analogy of residential addresses, you can consider a unique IP address as a standalone residential unit. There is only one home and thus, mail is only delivered to that specific address. A shared IP address can be viewed like an apartment building. There are many different households in the unit, mail is delivered and then distributed to the correct owners.
Does a Unique IP Address Matter?
In most cases, it doesn't matter whether you have a shared or unique IP address. However, the unique variation might be required if you need to provide special access to your site. Perfect examples would be utilizing Anonymous FTP or installing a private SSL certificate. If you don't have these specific needs, a shared IP address will suite you just fine under most conditions. With that said, if you happen to reside on a server which possess an IP address that has been banned due to spamming complaints, this could negitvely impact your domain with regards to SEO.
Categories: Shared Hosting |
Tags: unique IP,
TCP/IP,
shared ip,
Shared Hosting,
IP address
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