Yes, there are tools and services designed to assign and manage static public IP addresses.
Yes, there are tools and services designed to assign and manage static public IP addresses.
You're hosting Rust and Valheim servers on a spare PC in your bedroom, and you're planning to switch ISPs soon. Yes, there are options for static public IP addresses—some services offer static IPs that remain consistent regardless of your connection. A VPN can also provide a fixed IP, but it typically changes with each session. Static IPs are often preferred if you want predictable server access for friends. Windows 10 support is generally good for these types of setups.
Usually you can use a dynamic IP for hosting, and services like ddns allow the IP to shift while keeping a consistent DNS entry. However, if you can, opting for a static IP is better.
They're essentially online servers, giving you a few choices. You might bet your current ISP's static IP won't shift. (Based on my experience with my local provider, our dynamic IP has stayed the same since installation.) You could pay to lock in a fixed address. Alternatively, consider a Dynamic DNS service such as No-IP. It lets you pick a domain name and it manages converting it to the current network IP.
Very few VPN providers offer a fixed IP address dedicated solely to you with port forwarding capabilities. While they do exist, they’re typically not the inexpensive options designed for different purposes. The cost of a static IP can vary based on your ISP’s pricing, so renting a VPS might be more affordable—sometimes as low as $5 per month with a public IP. You could then connect to the VPS via site-to-site VPN, configure routing, and forward ports to your home network or servers. Keep in mind that bandwidth usage will be factored into the price, usually around a few hundred GB monthly. Whether this is worthwhile depends on how much data you send and receive. Games generally require steady, low bandwidth—just enough to transmit basic game data. However, latency and reduced speed can make static IPs more appealing, especially if you prefer not to manage a DDNS service.