Dedicated IP's

Dedicated Server Tutorials

What’s your address?

Your Internet Service Provider will assign you with a static IP once your dedicated server is configured and ready for you to take control. This IP will be associated with your web address, mail services, FTP services and virtually every task your machine might perform that requires transmitting data to other machines connected to the Internet.

A very brief history of Internet protocol

The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is responsible for issuing unique IP addresses to the Americas. At first, there were very few restrictions placed on obtaining IP addresses from ARIN, but recently there has been some concern that the original standard protocol for issuing these numbers may soon reach it’s limit. A new standard has already been released, but ARIN still maintains a conservative stance when it comes to issuing new numbers. For this reason, your Internet Service Provider might also share a conservative attitude in this regard.

Do I really need all those numbers?

The good news is you do not need multiple IP addresses to host multiple websites and Internet related services. You can host as many sites and services as you think your dedicated server can handle –all with a single IP. But, there is a downside.

For example, certain services such as Secure Socket Layering (SSL) and anonymous FTP may not function properly without their own unique IP address. So if you plan on implementing multiple instances of these services, you should research this area or plan on requesting additional IP addresses from your ISP.

How many IP addresses can I get?

Most Internet Service Providers will supply you with at least five unique IP addresses for your dedicated server and virtually all ISPs are extremely reasonable if you can demonstrate a legitimate need for more.

I have my address –now what?

Once you know your assigned IP address, it is advisable that you spend at least a brief period of time researching the network that your address originates from. In the incredibly fast pace of today’s hosting environment, many Internet Service Providers often find themselves in the unfortunate position of either knowingly or unwittingly providing services to dubious organizations. For this reason, it is wise to verify your own network information once it is provided by your ISP –or you might discover after the fact that your dedicated server is banned from other networks, due to it’s network origins.

To safeguard yourself against this possibility, you should visit a site like “Spam Haus” (http://www.spamhaus.org/sbl/) where you can check your IP against a database of blacklisted domains. If you find your address in a database such as this, many networks will be unable to reach you and the services provided by your dedicated server will be automatically blocked.

For the most part, your IP address will not be an issue once you are up and running. But you should invest a little time and research into the nature of your Internet Service Provider’s network and the clients they host, prior to finding yourself potentially shunned due to guilt by association.

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