Static or DHCP IP address assignment methods

IP address assignment is a critical settings on your network devices. You must properly assign IP addresses for your hosts so that it participates on your network. IBM Fusion offers you the option to choose between DHCP reservation-based IP management and Static IP (recommended) for your needs.

Static
Manually configure your servers and network devices with static IP address configurations. These addresses do not change that makes it easy to find on the network. The static IP option eliminates the need to create Mac based reservations in DHCP server of your data center.
Dynamic
Automatically assigned to network devices from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. You must create Mac based reservations in DHCP server of your data center.

Advantages of Static IP address assignment method

Before you select your IP address assignment method, consider the following advantages of the Static IP method:
  • The Static IP addresses method requires less configuration effort, as you only need to set up DNS. Unlike the Dynamic IP addresses method, you do not have to configure the DHCP.
  • When you scale out by adding new nodes, the effort is minimal as you only need to set up DNS. Unlike the Dynamic IP addresses method, there is no need to configure the DHCP for each new node.
  • In the event of a NIC replacement in the field, a new MAC address is assigned, which requires an update to the DHCP configuration. However, with Static IP addresses, this step is eliminated, as the IP address remains unchanged.
  • If your network does not have a dedicated DHCP server or it is mounted as an add-on service, then the Static IP addresses option eliminates the need for DHCP deployment.