What term describes an IP address that is manually configured and does not change?

A static IP address is one that is manually configured for a device and remains constant over time, unlike a dynamic IP address which can change periodically based on the network configuration or DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) settings. Static IP addresses are crucial for devices that need stable connectivity and easy access, such as servers or networked printers. By assigning a static IP, network administrators can ensure the device has a consistent address for other devices to connect to it without facing issues from address changes.

In contrast, dynamic IP addresses are automatically assigned and can change over time, which is often beneficial for efficiency in IP address allocation but not suitable for devices that require a fixed address. Public and private IP addresses relate to the visibility of the address on the internet versus within a local network, but they do not inherently describe whether the address is static or dynamic. Thus, the core characteristic of a static IP is that it is reliably configured to remain unchanged over time.