When deciding whether to use dynamic or static IP addresses during migration to a routed network with MikroTik devices, it is important to consider your network's specific needs, ease of management, and future scalability.

We explain the pros and cons of each option and in which situations they could be most beneficial.

Static IP Addresses

Advantages:

• Control and predictability: Static addresses are fixed and do not change, making it easy to manage known devices and configure security and access policies.
• Connection stability: They are ideal for servers, network printers, or any device that needs to be accessible consistently, since the address does not change.
• Simplifies troubleshooting: By having a fixed IP, it is easier to track specific issues related to particular devices.

Disadvantages:

• Scalability: It can be complicated and time-consuming to manually manage many static IP addresses, especially on large networks.
• Risk of IP conflicts: If not managed carefully, there can be IP address conflicts, where two devices end up configured with the same address.

Dynamic IP Addresses

Advantages:

• Ease of management: Dynamic addresses are assigned automatically by a DHCP server. This reduces the administrative burden, especially on large, dynamic networks.
• Scalability: Adding new devices to the network is easier and faster as it does not require manual IP address configuration.
• Reduced IP conflicts: DHCP manages addresses to avoid duplicates and conflicts.

Disadvantages:

• Less predictability: Devices may receive different IP addresses each time they connect to the network, which can complicate configuring security and access policies based on specific IP addresses.
• DHCP server dependency: If the DHCP server fails or has problems, devices may not receive the IP addresses necessary to operate on the network.

Recommendation for Migration to Routed Networks

In the context of migrating to a routed network:

• Critical services and servers: Consider using static IP addresses for devices that require constant, predictable access, such as servers, critical network devices, and security systems.
• End users and devices: Use dynamic IP addresses for most users and end devices. This makes it easier to manage and scale the network, especially as it grows and changes.

Technical Considerations in MikroTik

When you configure MikroTik to work on a routed network, you can establish a DHCP server within the MikroTik device itself to handle dynamic assignments, while manually configuring static IP addresses for specific devices via the MikroTik interface.

Conclusion: The decision between static and dynamic IPs depends on the specific needs of your network. A combination of both can offer a balance between stability and ease of management, adapting to the needs of different types of devices and users on your network.