Curious - how can I tell if I have a static public IP address

[#1]

I've been with Plusnet for years and I'm unsure whether or not I ordered a static IP a long time ago. Is there a way of knowing?

Although I haven't made a note over the years, whenever I look up my IP address online I think it may always be the same. https://www.whatsmyip.org/ shows my hostname as <username>.plus.com if that's relevant.

Over the years I've had web space, a VOIP service and a domain name from Plusnet so I wonder whether I ever had a static IP. It would be useful to know going forward with VOIP.

[#2]

@Annie 

shows my hostname as <username>.plus.com if that's relevant.

This indicates you have a static IP Address, a dynamic would be something like depending on IP  Address.

Example - 1.0.147.147.dyn.plus.net 

You can get your rDNS changed if required, just make a request here

[#3]

@Dan_the_Van Thank you. 

Why would I want to change my rDNS? Is it for privacy reasons and if I did would I still keep the static IP?

[#4]

@Annie 

It will hide your plusnet account name, you will keep your static IP Address.

So rather <username>.plus.com it will be <IP Address>.plus.com 

[#5]

@Dan_the_Van 

I suppose it might be a good idea to switch the rDNS to <IP Address>.plus.com. Do I need to say what my username is?

Now that I know I have a static IP address, do I need to be concerned about the information on A&A's support pages at https://support.aa.net.uk/VoIP_Firewall - they say they don't recommend leaving port 5060 open. Am I to assume that doing nothing in the router means that it is open?

I have switched off uPnP in the router and SIP ALG is disabled. Am I open to security issues?

Apologies for all the questions. I really do appreciate those who give of their time and this forum is one of the reasons which keeps me renewing with Plusnet. So many helpful and knowledgeable people.

[#6]

@Annie 

Hopefully someone from support will read this thread and send you a PM to arrange your rDNS name.

@MisterW would be the best person to answer those questions regarding VoIP, I dropped having a landline phone number when I went Full Fibre so not really looked into ATA setup.

[#7]

@Annie 

Now that I know I have a static IP address, do I need to be concerned about the information on A&A's support pages at https://support.aa.net.uk/VoIP_Firewall - they say they don't recommend leaving port 5060 open. Am I to assume that doing nothing in the router means that it is open?

That is only applicable if your VOIP device is using a public IP, yours isnt, its using a private IP via NAT. All that's required is for your VOIP device to use the 'NAT keep alive' setting to keep the connection open between your device and the A & A server. 

I have switched off uPnP in the router and SIP ALG is disabled. Am I open to security issues?

No.

[#8]

@MisterW Thank you. That is reassuring.

[#9]

Hi @Annie 

I'll send you a private message to try and get you some help with this. 
Could you take a look at your community inbox and get back to me when you get a chance? 

Thanks

Ali 

[#10]

One way or another this curious topic keeps on cropping up. When it does the replies appear contradictory to me.

---

@Dan_the_Van wrote:

@Annie 

shows my hostname as <username>.plus.com if that's relevant.

This indicates you have a static IP Address, a dynamic would be something like depending on IP  Address.

Example - 1.0.147.147.dyn.plus.net 

You can get your rDNS changed if required, just make a request here

---

OK. So why would somebody be on a static IP address - leaving aside the obvious (that they have asked for/paid for one) ?

My IP has, I believe, been err... 'stationary' for many years (confirmed same IP as October 2020), though I have never needed, requested or paid for a 'static IP'. Nor has it ever been shown in my PN account that I have one. Long ago it used to change from time to time.

Previously my rDNS account name was shown (<username>.plus.com) until like many others, mainly a few years ago, I requested it be changed to not show my account name (now <IP Address>.plus.com ).

I think I have seen a possible explanation previously, but I seem to have forgotten it. 😊

[#11]

@pvmb two possible explanations

1) back in the old days, you had a dialup account. You were able to request the ability to register a second phone number to allow access whne away from home. A static IP was automatically applied to the account to prevent connection from both places simultaneously.

2) your account is old enough to still have the 'Broadband firewall' facility , and you have it enabled. Again a static IP is automatically applied to enable the firewall functionality.

[#12]

...Thanks. No. 2 seems to be the answer (must try to remember it):

Firewall is currently on and set to "Block common ports except HTTP and HTTPS"

[#13]

deleted

[#14]

There was also a point up to around 20 years ago that we didn't offer dynamic IP addresses on broadband and everyone got a static IP. That's why I've had the same static IP since I started at Plusnet.

[#15]

Think I have been here longer than 20 years, but initially on dial-up and do not recall having a static then.  When I went onto ADSL, it was optional.

Somehow, you must have ducked the big static IP shuffle ... I recall mine being changed years ago!