Re: Static IPs

[Janina Sajka <janina@afb.net>]

There are reasons other than serving web pages which make static ips 
attractive. If, for example, one travels and wishes to access one's home 
server over ssh -- that's just an example.

 On Fri, 7 Sep 2001, John J. 
Boyer wrote:

> Hello,
> For people who aren't running Web servers dynamic IP's are an advantage,
> since they make the hacker's job harder. Our DSL service from TDS Metgrocom
> uses DHCP.
> John
> 
> Computers to Help People, Inc.
> http://www.chpi.org
> 825 East Johnson; Madison, WI 53703
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Henry Yen" <blinux-mail@AegisInfoSys.com>
> To: <blinux-list@redhat.com>
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 17:17
> Subject: Re: Static IPs
> 
> 
> > On Fri, Sep 07, 2001 at 01:38:57AM -0700, Karl Dahlke wrote:
> > > Someone described a pseudo-always-on dsl connection from Ameritech,
> > > wherein the company drops you if you're not busy,
> > > and you wake up with a new ip address.
> > > What a frightening thought.
> >
> > I suppose, but that's the class of service you're paying for (a high-speed
> > replacement for a modem dial-up).  The service normally afforded to
> > "home" users doesn't normally allow one to run servers, so having a
> > static IP address (which wasn't normally available under dial-up
> > plans, either) isn't an issue.  If you want to be able to host
> > servers with static IP addresses, you need to purchase "business"-class
> > services.
> >
> > That said, there are, in fact, many providers who will sell you "home"
> > DSL service with a static IP address.
> >
> > > I've just started hosting my own web site, on my own machine,
> > > and I don't know why I didn't take the plunge long ago.
> > > It's easy, and it's fun.
> >
> > Yes, although I would like to point out that most home-based
> > web sites often have much, much poorer security than a web
> > hosting company, and in that regard contribute significantly
> > to various network floods and attacks (cable service users are
> > probably the worst).  Web hosting companies will sell you
> > your own web site which has a static IP, multiple very-high-speed
> > and redundant internet connections, power backup, etc., all at
> > a very cheap price (less than $20/month).  There are also various
> > providers (geocities, etc.) which will give you a website for "free".
> > Most all of these (free and non-free) come with easy-to-use
> > website management and monitoring software as well.
> >
> > That said, there is a significant educational benefit in
> > running a server system at home.
> >
> > > There are numerous advantages, and a couple disadvantages.
> > > Well anyways, it would be unthinkable if I had such a terrible isp.
> > > I certainly can't reprogram all the name servers on the internet
> > > every time they decide to give me a new ip address.
> >
> > There are several "dynamic DNS" providers (many non-free but cheap, and
> > a few that are free) which will allow you to make more-or-less
> > real-time DNS changes on-line.  This kind of service will mostly
> > take care of the dynamic IP address problem.
> >
> > There is also a service called "URL forwarding" which also eliminates
> > the problem by assigning a static IP, but invisibly re-directing
> > to/from the server (dynamic IP address or not) of your choice (a two-way
> > proxy, so to speak).  I'm not sure if there's anybody doing that
> > for free, but again it's available cheap (a few dollars a month).
> >
> > > The cable at-home service doesn't work like that,
> > > and I have nothing but good things to say about them.
> >
> > I doubt that their terms of service have much to say regarding how
> > the service is provided (e.g., static IP address), and they
> > will no doubt change it in the future, anyway.
> >
> > > They even tried to help me set up,
> > > knowing that I was on Linux.
> > > That's pretty rare.
> >
> > Yes, but less so as time goes by.
> >
> > > Getting back to the IPs;
> > > one day we lost the bill, or it got lost in the mail, or whatever,
> > > and I was behind, so they turned off the service.
> > > I called with my credit card to turn it back on and asked,
> > > please please please,
> > > can I have my old ip back again.
> > > "Sure, we've been saving it for you."
> > > Now that's class,
> > > and its certainly important to those of us who are hosting our own
> sites.
> >
> > You shouldn't count on it, as it will eventually change; also,
> unfortunately,
> > your experience is far from universal.
> >
> > --
> > Henry Yen <henry@AegisInfoSys.com>              Aegis Information Systems,
> Inc.
> > Senior Systems Programmer                       Hicksville, New York
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Blinux-list@redhat.com
> > https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
	
				Janina Sajka, Director
				Technology Research and Development
				Governmental Relations Group
				American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

Email: janina@afb.net		Phone: (202) 408-8175

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