On shared and reseller hosting, many websites usually share one IP address. The server tells them apart by the domain name in each request. A dedicated IP is an address used only by your account. It used to be essential for SSL; today it is useful only in specific cases.
How sharing an IP works
When a browser connects, it sends the domain it wants in the HTTP Host header and, for HTTPS, in the TLS SNI (Server Name Indication) field. The web server uses that name to pick the right site and the right certificate. Every modern browser supports SNI, so thousands of HTTPS sites can share one IP safely.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| You need a dedicated IP for SSL. | Not since SNI. Free AutoSSL works on shared IPs. |
| A shared IP hurts SEO. | Search engines rank pages, not IP addresses. A shared IP is normal for most of the web. |
| A dedicated IP makes the site faster. | Speed depends on server resources and caching, not on the address. |
When a dedicated IP helps
- Email reputation control: your outgoing mail is not affected by other senders on the same IP, though you must then build and protect the reputation yourself.
- Reseller branding: your own nameservers and hostname on your own IP look more professional to clients. MdmHost's top VIP Master Reseller plan includes a dedicated IP.
- Firewall whitelisting: a partner or payment system that only accepts connections from a fixed IP.
- Accessing the site by IP or running services that do not use domain names.
How to see your IP
Your server's shared IP is shown in cPanel under General Information. Your own internet connection's IP can be checked with the IP checker.