Virtual IP Address: What It Is & How You Can Get One

Even those of us who don’t work in IT or a tech-related field might recognize the term IP address (Internet Protocol Address). Although we may not be clear on the many forms an IP address can take, we probably know that everyone who utilizes the Internet has an assigned IP. So what is a virtual IP address? Depending on what security protocols you follow, your IP address may fall under different categories. The four basic types of IP addresses are: Virtual IP addresses fall under both the dynamic and private IP categories, and help to solidify smooth Internet services by avoiding online traffic jams. Let’s take a look at what a virtual IP address is, what purpose it serves, and how it works. A virtual IP (VIPA) is an IP address that erases the need for a computer host to depend on an individual network interface. In other words, if one network interface fails, a virtual IP will connect with another interface and still maintain a connection between domains and servers that share a physical IP sans any problematic disruptions. Each virtual IP is assigned to applications, websites, and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) that are located on a single server — multiple servers never share the same virtual address. Although the host server has a single, physical IP address, VIPAs are unique to each application supported by the host. This way, connection interruptions or slow speeds don’t hamper the servers that use virtual IPs. For example, a home or office network may use virtual IPs to give each utilized router a unique IP address. A virtual IP can only be accessed from the host server that initially set it up. However, it differs from the physical IP address that identifies a network. A virtual IP is used by a network to ensure connection breaks and network interfaces are limited. For example, if a host server has multiple applications and websites, they will be given a unique virtual IP address within the host network. So a host’s network IP address represents the physical IP address, and a VIPA may be assigned by the host to split the traffic coming through for multiple domains and applications. A static IP address is either manually entered by a user or assigned by an ISP (Internet Service Provider). The static IP doesn’t change, provides reliable geolocation data, and offers great DNS (Domain Name System) support.  Static IPs are typically used by businesses that own their websites, and are great for remote workers using VPNs to log into a network. A virtual IP is often used by small networks such as home or office networks, and is one example of a dynamic IP address. Dynamic IP addresses differ from static IPs in the following ways: If you work in a tech-related field or are surrounded by computer experts, you may hear the term “floating IP address” used. Are floating IPs and virtual IPs the same? In short, they’re similar, but not identical. A floating IP address is a public IP assigned to a specific device to allow that device Internet access regardless of its physical location. However, much like virtual IPs, floating IPs can be given network designation to allow access to multiple servers and VPNs. Virtual and floating IPs can be interchangeable in certain examples. For example, both are often used for on-site network configurations. The most significant difference between a floating IP and a virtual IP is that a floating IP is public , while a virtual IP is private. A load balancer is used in conjunction with a virtual IP address, but the two are separate tools. The load balancer acts as a reverse proxy — in layman’s terms, this tool acts as protection against hackers and cybersecurity threats. A virtual IP address is used by the load balancer to present an application or domain to a client-server. Via the virtual IP, the load balancer sends a client to the specific application or website it needs to access. Your network administrator, Internet service provider, or host provider will designate a virtual IP for you, and you may not even be aware of its existence However, you can assign your own network (for example, your home network) a virtual IP through these simple steps: For Windows: For Mac: It’s important that you research the various forms an IP address can take before you discern which one is right for you to utilize. A virtual IP address has numerous benefits for host servers and networks. Some of the benefits include: For more information on virtual IP addresses, trends in cybersecurity, and tips on how to protect yourself online, check out the What is My IP Address blog and utilize the free IP address look-up tools on our website .