Static IP Recommendations

[The Soup Dragon]

Would any members be able to let me know if you have a static IP address for your business broadband. We are currently with Sky and its dreadful. I don't want to use BT due to past issues. We are in Cornwall and need to access remote desktop when out of the office either home or abroad.

I emailed Wildanet but they didn't reply.

SD

 

[martin_shl]

I've just switched my home broadband to Andrews & Arnold and they offer static IP addresses as standard for both home and business broadband.

 

[Ozzy]

Although I no longer use A&A, I can vouch for them as a great provider (only switched as Giogaclear ran fibre to my door so now sit on 1GB at home, and we have a leased line in our office)

 

[ServWise]

Although a static IP is convenient its not really required if your access is personal VPN/Remote Access etc (I'e your not running a Web or email server or something), I have run my home office off of a dynamic IP and using DDNS which I get for free through my NAS which also does the job of updating it when ever my public IP changes. There are also free DDNS services out there, your router/modem may have it built in.

So with DDNS I am sure you know that you use a domain instead of an IP to connect, that domain is updated with the new IP on the fly very quickly and has a very short TTL. I have never had the occasion when the IP was out of date, normally broadband IPs don't change that much anyway, normally only when the router in rebooted.

 

[gpietersz]

Zen also offer static IPs as standard: https://www.zen.co.uk/

 

[GLAbusiness]

I get mine with Hyperoptic

 

[Nico Albrecht]

What's wrong with running Tailscale for RDC? I hope you dont expose a fixed IP for RDC access. There is plenty of VPN tunnel solutions and DDNS services build into decent router hardware

 

[moortech]

+1 for Zen, their router (FritzBox 7350) is also secure and very configurable. We've now got symmetrical FTTP in the area so I've switched to that, but Zen are a very good provider.

 

[seabro]

I agree with some of the others.

For security:
1. Don't expose RDP directly using port-forwarding.
2, Use Tailscale or Router VPN + Dynamic DNS service.

If you insist on exposing RDP, just use a Dynamic DNS service, no static IP needed.

 

[mahad]

Have you looked into a vpn like tailscale for the remote desktop stuff instead of relying on a static ip. It bypasses all the headache of port forwarding or needing a fixed address from the isp and is way more secure anyway. I use it for my own business gear and it just works honestly. If you really need the static ip though talktalk business is usually pretty easy to get one set up with.

 

[The Soup Dragon]

On teh back of this do any of you used a managed server solution rather than having your own server on site?

 

[moortech]

On teh back of this do any of you used a managed server solution rather than having your own server on site?

Well, I offer managed server solutions... /shameless_plug
Most businesses will use hosted services for a variety of reasons - bandwidth, reliable power, defence against bots and scrapers, which is a plague at the moment, for several of them. Management is usually an extra on top that if you don't want to look after your services yourself, and you would have to consider your requirements, but there are degrees there as well.

 

[gpietersz]

@The Soup Dragon as @moortech has said off premises is not the same as managed. Managing an off premises server with the right setup is not very different from managing a VPS. You can also get someone to manage a server on premises if they have a way of accessing it remotely.

 

[EnterprisePro]

As others have alluded to, even with a static IP, you'll still need to secure your access. You have some suggestions already, but take a look at Wireguard as well.

 

[scstock]

Yes, have a static IP with Voneus - they're a specialist in connecting remote communities so not national. 20 years ago I was paying hundreds a month for a satellite!

I need the Static IP for a database server so it can be accessed remotely.