What is a primary characteristic of a Static IP address?

A primary characteristic of a Static IP address is that it does not change over time. This stability is crucial for devices that need a constant address to communicate over a network, such as servers or devices that require remote access. By having a fixed IP address, it facilitates easier management, security configurations, and connections because the address remains the same, allowing other devices to always know how to reach it.

In contrast, dynamic IP addresses are assigned by a DHCP server and can change each time a device connects to the network. While there are various advantages to dynamic addressing, such as ease of management, it does not provide the same level of consistency for devices that require a reliable and unchanging address. Additionally, the speed of an IP address is relatively independent of whether it is static or dynamic; both types of addresses can experience similar latency depending on network conditions. Lastly, static IP addresses are not limited to temporary connections; they are often used in situations where long-term stability is important.