Static or Dynamic IP address?

[omelette]

I am a computer novice. Can someone please explain in idiot terms how I find out which type of IP address I have (Static or Dynamic), and if it is traceable/identifiable? Thank you in advance.

[ACtheTROLL]

you have two ip addresses

wan - (wide area network) your router to the internet connection - 1 address shared by everyone connected to your router

lan - (local area network) your router to your machines
1 address per machine

DNS connects the two together so that you get the information you ask for - and others get only their stuff

wan - unless you are paying a premium for a static (wan) external address - it's dynamic - (which makes hosting an internet site impossible without a dyn dns service)

lan
most routers expect dynamic by default so are set up with DHCP to allocate the LAN addresses

in both cases DHCP allocates addresses for a set period (lease)

windows also defaults to dynamic

so see
control panel | Network Connections - right click your network adapter | properties

in the general tab - scroll down/click on internet protocol tcp/ip | properties

see what it says - obtain automatically - dynamic
or if you see numbers - static

and yes - your ISP's records show which address you had when - so it can be traced (but generally only the police would do)

finally - each network device has a MAC address which (in theory at least) is unique (sort of a fingerprint)
it tends to be mac addresses that are used in prosecutions
because it IDs the machine and not just the site

phew
obviously this is a potted version with more holes than my weekday undies - hopefully it covers your question

[P.V.C.]

Bloody hell AC ^ I am just glad that I am a meer kat mortal

[ACtheTROLL]

simples!

[ChuckFickens]

DNS connects the two together

Errr, wouldn't that be NAT.

[ACtheTROLL]

err ... it might be .....
I said it was rough (must stop drinking at dinner) - ta chuck - absolutely right ;-P

[Tejaa]

Make use of this site http://www.ip-details.com/ip-search/ & find out which Ip address you have ..
It provides the information at free cost ..