Any internet address is not just a set of numbers that make it possible to connect to the global network. IANA is a special transnational company that deals with IP address distribution. Regional internet registries (RIR, there are only 5 of them) represent the first link in the distribution chain, followed by local registries (LIR). Only after that end users get their IP addresses.
It goes without saying that large internet service providers as well as operators of mobile and other telecommunications services are included into the LIR category. They have complete control over the available pool of IP addresses. Even if they distribute addresses within their own networks without a permanent tie to a certain client, providers still keep record of all activities, including users, their connection time/location and the addresses they had.
Let’s discuss all the details regarding dynamic IP addresses and their manual rotation guidelines.
What Is a Dynamic IP Address?
Actually, there is no global network. The internet is a network of networks. In other words, there is a broad range of local networks that can be connected to each other in separate sections. As a result, users can connect from their devices to other hosts operating in a different local network. This becomes possible due to the internet protocol, specifically the combination of TCP/IP protocols. The first one is responsible for data transmission, while the second one is responsible for proper addressing.
Each time a new device connects to a network, it is assigned an individual IP address so that it can be accessed at any time. Servers, personal computers, smartphones, tablets, routers and any other device that can connect to the internet all have their IP addresses.
Internet addresses are divided into:
- Internal. These are used only to construct networks that do not go anywhere. Additionally, there are special addresses for organizing virtual networks within a single device. Such addresses may not be unique. For example, many routers respond to the address 192.168.0.1. The well-known localhost address is 127.0.0.1.
- External. These addresses are always unique and are used to connect disparate local networks into a single global network. IANA is responsible for allocating such addresses.
As far as the complete pool of IPv4 addresses comprises around 4.2 billion unique options, while the overall number of devices that require Internet access has long exceeded this value, communication service providers have to solve the problem of IP shortage using non-standard methods.
One of them is the dynamic distribution of IP addresses from the available pool among subscribers based on active connections.
A dynamic IP address is the IP assigned to a user's device at the moment of connection to the network. The address allocation process is completed automatically, while the communication service provider that has issued the IP, controls all the rotation parameters.
Configuration and connection of a dynamic IP allows the service provider to rotate IP address allocated to it for proper operation by a regional registrar (RIR).
Thus, the provider can "save" the available addresses.
If this is not done and clients get static IPs only, then the address pool allocated to the local provider may quickly run out, leaving some clients without Internet access. It becomes more difficult to buy new IP addresses for customers in modern conditions. And it’s also much more expensive.
This is where the logical question arises: if providers constantly rotate IP addresses among clients, how can they identify certain connections or individual clients?
That’s simple.
- A special software and hardware complex is responsible for correct IP rotator options;
- Since a local operator's network is initially a local network, then special local addresses can be used for internal redirection. Mind that they may not even be unique. It is sufficient to make them unique within the local network.
- Agreement numbers, logins and other attributes can serve as the main client identifiers. For example, this can be a mobile phone number, when it comes to mobile operator.
- The software complex saves a connection log. It corresponds the identifier of a specific client to the provided IP address ( it is assigned to a user for a certain period of time till the next rotation).
- Even if someone has questions about the transmitted information, a provider will be able to answer which subscriber was connected to the network, at what time and what IP address he/she had.
What’s important, a provider will have to store and memorize such information, because the IP addresses are allocated and assigned to it. If the operator can’t find the client responsible for the requests, then all possible penalties will be applied directly to the communication operator. By the way, fines and sanctions for legal entities are the most severe.
To be fair, it makes sense to mention IPv6. This addressing protocol was developed to replace IPv4, as much has been said about its depletion since 1998. Due to dynamic addressing and some other tricks, modern providers have learned to cope with the available pool of IPv4 addresses. IPv6, by the way, is extensively used by lots of communication operators in Europe nowadays.
How to Change Your IP Address
We have just figured out the allocation and control of dynamic IP addresses. There is still one question left - is it possible to change your IP address?
Rotation of the IP address provided by your internet service provider is completed automatically on its side, without the involvement of a user or end subscriber. Well, you can turn off your router or other device that provides your internet connection. In this case, the system will assign you a new IP address upon reconnection. This is because the addresses are provided dynamically.
This approach, however, does not increase your online anonymity. The internet resource you access (host, server, website, or web application) can trace back anytime and identify you as a subscriber of a certain operator.
It is possible to trace each IP address through open databases and find out the communication provider that services it as well as the city/town it belongs to. This is how IP geolocation works, where websites automatically detect your region, language and other connection parameters.
If it is impossible to change the IP address assigned by your internet service provider, this doesn't mean that you can't mask your location or real IP for the endpoints you plan to connect to.
VPN and proxies are the solutions to solve these issues. In both cases, you initially connect to a proxy server, which further sends your requests on its behalf. This creates a "tunnel" effect, when your internet service provider sees a simple internet connection, but cannot see where it leads or what happens there.
Both VPN and proxy services can organize a complete network of interconnected servers. Thus, even if the entrance is always in a certain place, no one can guess where the exit will be.
VPN fully encrypts the transmitted traffic, providing maximum protection for confidential information. However, if you need to implement bulk parsing, parallelize multiple requests, organize network access with high accuracy up to the required telecommunications operator and city, then VPN won’t help.
Proxy servers do not encrypt traffic, but they can ensure one-time access to a huge database of IP addresses granted that the service provider's capabilities allow that. Such tasks are frequently needed for specialized software, parsing, SEO, SMM, SERM etc.
The only requirement is that proxies should be anonymous. What Is an Anonymous Proxy?
And they shouldn't be free. Paid vs Free Proxies: Pros and Cons
Automated IP Rotation
To enable the ability to rotate proxy IP addresses in real-time, you will need either special software that can change addresses from the list according to the pre-set algorithm, or a specialized proxy service.
Dynamic proxies with IP address rotation are used for the most priority business tasks such as competitor website parsing (for price monitoring, SEO analysis etc.), bulk following and SMM (e.g. proxies for Instagram, proxies for Discord, proxies for Facebook as well as other social networks and messengers), advertising on specialized platforms etc.
In this case, you can set up proxy rotation on a predefined schedule (e.g. hour, minute, maximum connection lifespan etc.) or based on a specific logic, such as rotation with every new request.
The only nuance is that you need to connect a proxy at either the operating system level (in Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, your Linux distribution settings etc.), or at the program level (browser, parser, any other application).
Some proxy services can work through so-called "super proxies." This is a kind of gateway that serves as a single entry point for all clients. Redirection to the final nodes further occurs inside it. Due to this approach, you can connect just one address (instead of a whole list) to your parsing program and eventually get a list of proxies, which will rotate according to the logic you set up in the personal account of a client.
Summary and Recommendations
Communication (internet) providers offer both static and dynamic IP addresses to their subscribers. Dynamic IP addresses are assigned randomly. A client cannot affect this process.
However, you can substitute your IP address, having left the original network. VPN and proxy server change IP address options let you do that.
If you need dynamic proxies with an automatic and forced rotating IP address, the best solution is to buy a traffic package from Froxy.
We offer the best residential and mobile proxies - over 8 million IP addresses, coverage in 200+ countries, targeting up to the city and communication provider, up to 1000 ports, clean and absolutely anonymous proxies only.
