Static IP or not

[David Bird]

OK, the boys at tech support can't seem to agree on configuration.

I have an IP3M 943 connected wirelessly to a wireless router. My desktop is connected via the router. I am running Amcrest Surveillance Pro. I have been instructed to set a static IP address by tech support. Speaking with tech support today I was told a static IP address is a bad idea.

So, which is it? Apparently, no one in India seems to know.

[FJuliao]

You want a static IP because when you do port forwarding on the router you want the port that you are opening to point to a specific IP. If the IP changes via DHCP then you would have to be port forwarding to a moving target.

[t84a]

Always

[Balnacra]

You want a static IP because when you do port forwarding on the router you want the port that you are opening to point to a specific IP. If the IP changes via DHCP then you would have to be port forwarding to a moving target.

The Linksys WRT1900AC router has the capability to reserve (permanently assign) an IP address to a device. Then once a port is forwarded to that reserved address, the assignment remains valid indefinitely, even after rebooting the router. Is this what you call "static ip"? Note that the router is still configured as a DHCP server so if at a later time you want to add more IP cameras you don't have to mess with your current settings. Just let the router assign itself to the new camera in the usual way, and once connected, reserve the assignment and forward a port to it.

[t84a]

DHCP reservation is not the same as static but accomplishes the same thing. Some IT people actually prefer it. I'm old school. I still use static. Not all routers support DHCP reservation.