# Floating IPs

A floating IP is a type of public, static IP address that can be assigned to instances within a private subnet. It allows you to quickly provide access from an external network to an instance that does not have a public network interface. A floating IP can be dynamically routed to any server in the network, and the floating IP Anchor IP relation can be updated in real-time so you can direct traffic incoming on the floating IP to the server of your choice. Floating IPs are commonly used to implement failover in a high availability cluster, implement zero downtime continuous deployment, keep the same IP address on a server even when it it being relocated in the data center, and serve as a flexible load balancing address.

Static IP:- A static IP is a fixed, unchanging IP address that is assigned to a device or server. It is typically used for web servers, mail servers, and other services that require a consistent and easily accessible address for users to connect to. Static IPs are usually assigned by the Internet service Providers (ISP) or the network administrator and are not easily changeable.

**Advantage**

1. **Flexibility:-** Floating IPs are considerably flexible and suitable for use in failover and switchover environments, allowing for seamless transition between servers on instances
2. **Control and Accessibility**:- Floating IPs allow for controlled access, and in the event of any issues with the **Internet Service Provider(ISP)**, users can access the IP pool through other servers.
3. **Dynamic Routing**: - They can be dynamically routed to any server in the network, enabling the redirection of traffic to different servers as needed.
4. **Failover and load balancing**: - Floating IPs can be used in failover and load balancing scenarios, making them a valuable tool for maintaining service availability and performance.
5. Improved user experience: Floating IPs can make services more accessible to users, as they are not tied to specific server IP addresses.

These advantages make floating IPs a valuable tool for maintaining high availability and reducing downtime in production environments.