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Dynamic addressing was invented for the computer world to avoid having to manually insert IP address each time you logged onto a networked desktop or remote system. The first instance of dynamic IP address assignment probably came about with the advent of fixed diskless workstations. These systems typically did not offer any local storage, and therefore had not way of capturing and holding configuration data. So, every time they were used on a network, the address information had to be inserted by the user. What dynamic addressing does is automatically assign an IP address to the workstation or remote laptop, so the user does not have to enter this information.
The benefits of dynamic addressing include:
- The ability to "overbook" IP address space, which in essence is similar to sir traffic controllers stacking planes over a runway as they await landing slots. Dynamic addressing also automates lover-level network configurations (as when you are using a mobile device between home and work).
- It eliminates the need to constantly insert network configurations and IP information as you travel -- which would be a real pain for us airport hopping executives.
- It eliminates, or at least reduces the possibility of address duplication, or collisions. Sure, you may get an occasional conflict error message, but dynamic addressing will route around this conflict when you click the OK button.
- It eliminates mistakes when logging into servers and other host systems. Let's face it, to err is human, and unavoidable in the computer space. So, the less numbers we have to worrying about the better. Viva La Dynamic Addressing!
This was first published in August 2003