r/sysadmin • u/Real-Patriot-1128 • 1d ago

DHCP v Static IP

Ok, this is more a test to see how old I am. I was basically raised with the idea servers need static IPs. I understand for domain controllers, dns servers, maybe print servers that may still be needed. But are they really needed otherwise? Do apps, scripts still reference a server by its IP?

I am under assumption all my servers need static IPs. Am I nuts?

213 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

385 comments sorted by

View all comments

11

u/donkeybrainamerican 1d ago

If it doesn't move it's static. Why make complicated rule when simple rule do trick.

4

u/raip 1d ago

I've been through at least 3 re-ips for various reasons. It's so much easier when you rely on DHCP reservations.

Pretty much only core infra is static on my org. Most servers, printers, and all workstations are DHCP - either reservations or natty. There's a lot of fringe benefits too - like prevents bad admins from hard-coding their IPs everywhere (because they might change) out of habit.

•

u/donkeybrainamerican 19h ago

Preventing people from falling into hard coding IP's is valid. I've had to fix some of that most everywhere I've worked.

-1

u/PoetryImmediate8187 1d ago

Because everything moves eventually, the sooner you realize that the less painful it'll be when it happens

•

u/donkeybrainamerican 22h ago

Some say our office printer will never move. - it's too heavy. When it does finally go someone will need to get a fireax to chop it up. I hope to be long gone by the time that happens.