← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Choosing static or dynamic IP for a device

Use static for devices others must always find, like web servers and printers; use dynamic for phones and laptops because it needs less set-up work.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.4 Network Hardware — Module 22

Understanding Choosing static or dynamic IP for a device in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Other devices need to find the printer at the same address every time, so a static IP is the right choice. The network gives the laptop an address automatically, so nobody has to set it up by hand. This is why dynamic suits ordinary devices. Exam questions often ask you to justify. Use 'because' and give a reason, not just the type. A phone does not need to be found by others, so dynamic is enough. A web server needs static.

Common mistakes: A web server must always be found at the same address, so it needs a static IP address. Line 3 should be ipType ← "static". A home laptop is an ordinary device, so dynamic is best because it needs less set-up work. Line 2 should be ipType ← "dynamic".

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Choosing static or dynamic IP for a device to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 342–354) and word search (Modules 325–354).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
A company runs a web server that customers must always be able to find. Which type of IP address should it use?
Dynamic IP addressStatic IP address
Matches
web_server.ip = DYNAMIC
↓
A web server needs to be found at the same address every time. A dynamic IP can change, so users might not find it. It should be STATIC.
Applying
Meanings
Term
static or dynamic IP
Meaning
Use static for devices others must always find, like web servers and printers; use dynamic for phones and laptops because it needs less set-up work.
Practice
IF device = "web server" OR device = "printer" THEN
Testing
Gaps
ipType ← ""
Check Answer
Spots
2mustBeFound ← TRUE
3ipType ← "dynamic"

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Blobfish' badge — Pressure Handler, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. A company runs a web server that customers must always be able to find. Which type of IP address should it use?
A. Dynamic IP address
B. Static IP address ✓
A web server must always be found at the same address, so it needs a static IP address that never changes.
2. A school has a network printer that all staff computers send print jobs to. Which IP address type suits it best?
A. Static, because the printer must always be found at the same address ✓
B. Dynamic, because the printer should get a new address every day
If a printer's address kept changing, computers could not reliably find it. A static address stays the same.
3. A family connects their phones and laptops to the home Wi-Fi. Which IP address type is the usual choice?
A. Dynamic IP address ✓
B. Static IP address
Ordinary devices like phones and laptops do not need to be found by others, so dynamic addresses are fine.
4. Which reason best justifies using dynamic IP addresses for home laptops and phones?
A. Dynamic is better because the address never changes
B. Dynamic needs less set-up work because the router assigns the address automatically ✓
Dynamic addresses are given out automatically by the network, so nobody has to configure each device by hand. They can change, so the second answer is wrong.
5. Which exam answer earns the mark for the choice of IP address for a web server?
A. Static, because other devices must always be able to find it ✓
B. Static
Exam questions often ask you to justify. Use 'because' and give a reason, not just the type.

Match the Pairs

web_server.ip = STATIC → The web server keeps one fixed IP address so other devices can always find it.
phone.ip = DYNAMIC → The phone is given an IP address automatically by the network, so no manual set-up is needed.
A network printer should use a static IP so that laptops can always find it to print. → printer.ip = STATIC
A home laptop should use a dynamic IP because it needs less set-up work. → laptop.ip = DYNAMIC
web_server.ip = DYNAMIC → A web server needs to be found at the same address every time. A dynamic IP can change, so users might not find it. It should be STATIC.
phone.ip = STATIC # every phone → Setting a static IP on every phone means lots of manual set-up. Dynamic is better for phones because it needs less set-up work.

Key Term

static or dynamic IP
Use static for devices others must always find, like web servers and printers; use dynamic for phones and laptops because it needs less set-up work.

Fill in the Blanks

1. device ← "web server" ipType ← "static"
Hint: Type the kind of IP address that suits a device others must always be able to find.
2. device ← "laptop" ipType ← "dynamic"
Hint: Type the kind of IP address that suits an ordinary home device and needs less set-up.
3. IF device = "printer" THEN ipType ← "static" ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that comes after the condition in an IF statement.
4. IF device = "phone" THEN ipType ← "dynamic" ENDIF
Hint: Type the operator that compares the device with the value.
5. OUTPUT "Use dynamic because it needs less set-up"
Hint: Type the word that links the choice of IP address to its reason in an exam answer.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A device ← "web server"
B mustBeFound ← TRUE
C ipType ← "dynamic"
D OUTPUT device, ipType
Line C — A web server must always be found at the same address, so it needs a static IP address. Line 3 should be ipType ← "static".
Question 2
A device ← "laptop"
B ipType ← "static"
C OUTPUT "Less set-up work"
Line B — A home laptop is an ordinary device, so dynamic is best because it needs less set-up work. Line 2 should be ipType ← "dynamic".
Question 3
A device ← "printer"
B IF device = "printer" THEN
C OUTPUT "Others must find it"
D ipType ← "dynamic"
E ENDIF
Line D — A printer is shared, so others must always find it at the same address. It needs a static IP, not dynamic. Line 4 should be ipType ← "static".
Question 4
A IF device = "web server" THEN
B ipType ← "dynamic"
C ENDIF
Line A — The program gives a dynamic IP address, which suits ordinary devices like phones. A web server needs a static address, so line 1 should test for "phone".
Question 5
A device ← web server
B IF device = "web server" THEN
C ipType ← "static"
D ENDIF
Line A — The text "web server" is a string, so it must be written in quotation marks. Line 1 should be device ← "web server".

Student with a class code? Join your class →