Static IP - Residential Line - What Are My Options?

[DanM92]

Hi,

In short, I am a web developer that works with a number of clients.

A new client requires me to have a static IP address to access a SFTP server. 

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From what I have read, you can't get a static IP address with a residential line? Therefore, what are my options?

Can I upgrade to a business line? If so, how much more is it and do I need a new router etc?

Can I get a VPN to use?

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Thanks in advance

[Keith_Beddoe]

@DanM92 

If you cannot use a DDNS service like NO-IP, which maps a web address to your public IP address, then your only other option would be to change to a BT Business account, which would involve a new contract.

As you are not simply using your broadband for general domestic use, and you need a good SLA, then BT Business would be the sensible option. In fact the BT Residential T&Cs do not permit any commercial usage anyway.

https://business.bt.com/products/broadband-and-internet/deals/

A DDNS service would be much cheaper, and the BT Home Hub would keep the DDNS service updated with any change in IP address.

[DanM92]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the great reply!

Just had a look at NO-IP, upon their website, what am I looking for specifically? (sorry bit of a novice when it comes to IP's).

Thanks

[Keith_Beddoe]

You will need to create an account and look at Dynamic DNS options.

You can create a single free hostname, to try it. The details have to be entered into the home hub Dynamic DNS section.

I do not use a BT Home hub, so another forum member may be able to show you where the settings are located.

Once your hostname is active, then clients can connect to your server by using it.

If you want to avoid having to login to your NO-IP account to refresh the hostname every 30 days, then you have to pay a subscription. That allows you to create up to 25 host names.

https://www.noip.com/support/knowledgebase/getting-started-with-no-ip-com/

[DanM92]

Hi Keith,

Thanks again for the reply.

Not sure if you misread the initial issue i had. 

It's myself that needs the static IP, which I need to give to another person to add to their server to allow for me to gain access to their server.

[licquorice]

You would give the other person your host name (which would track your public IP address) rather than your IP address, but I suspect that is probably not an option.

The only way to achieve a static IP address with BT is a business line. Static IP addresses are not available to residential customers.

[spile]

“In fact the BT Residential T&Cs do not permit any commercial usage anyway.l

In the the light of COVID and WFH (which is allowed) how is that being enforced?

[gg30340]

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@spile wrote:

“In fact the BT Residential T&Cs do not permit any commercial usage anyway.l

In the the light of COVID and WFH (which is allowed) how is that being enforced?

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It's not and never has been but what does happen is that you will get no compensation for loss of business etc or priority repairs because you are on a residential SLA and not a business SLA as well as the other things that a business line offers.

[Keith_Beddoe]

In the the light of COVID and WFH (which is allowed) how is that being enforced?

@spile 

See this post https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Phone-Lines/m-p/2210950#M81624

If you were advertising as a business, then that would be an issue, but as a homeworker working for an employer, I cannot see any issue. In fact some major companies provide dedicated business connections for some employees that work from home all the time.

[spile]

11. When we may restrict, suspend or end a service

xii. You use a service for any trade, business or profession.

I would imagine there are many micro businesses that use residential broadband accounts to maintain their Wordpress or eBay sites. I wonder how many of them have had their services suspended and the reason for 11?