• Suggestion search

Business Customers: Static IP Overview and Configuration

Static IP Address Overview

A static IP is a great solution for businesses that host their own websites, use security cameras, or require remote access to servers and other tools. Static IPs ensure the IP address does not change and prevents losing connection to servers, host sites, hardware, etc...  

 

A static IP can be added to any Business Choice or Business Backup Choice plan. It is not available for Residential or Business CAF plans. The static IP service is only $10 per month and provides one static IP address for your business. 

Ready to add a static IP?
  • Contact our business care team 1-855-313-4111
  • Once added, an email with important details for configuration will be sent.  
Configuring your static IP

To get started configuring your Static IP, you will need to find the email we sent you with your IP information. The email subject line is "Important information about your static IP address." You will need the following information from that email:

  • Static IP Address (see Are Static IPs IPv6?, below)
  • Static IP Subnet Mask
  • Static IP Gateway (see can I ping the Static IP Gateway, below)
  • Static IP DNS

 

 

Use the parameters on the email to configure your external (non-Viasat ) router. Please keep in mind that routers can be different based on their make and model.

  1. Connect your computer to the router you’re using with your Viasat modem.

  2. Open the router’s configuration menu - you can usually reach it by entering 192.168.100.1 on your URL bar on any browser.

  3. If it’s your first time using this router, follow its first-time set-up instructions.

  4. Find the router’s configure WAN section (sometimes called “configure Internet settings” or “configure network settings”) and enter the static IP parameters Viasat provided to you via email.

  5. If you were previously using a Viasat modem with built-in Wi-Fi, you will need to configure the external router’s Wi-Fi settings and set identifier (SSID) so that the SSID and Wi-Fi password are exactly the same as those that were in use on the Viasat modem. If there was no prior use of the built-in Viasat Wi-Fi, then feel free to create new Wi-Fi credentials.

  6. Reboot your modem within 30 minutes of applying the configuration.

  7. Make sure the device where you configured the IP still holds the configuration and try to access the internet (eg: ping 8.8.8.8).

Subnet Mask Formatting

If you can’t find a text field in your router’s user interface in which you can insert your provided Static IP Subnet Mask, it may be because your router is expecting to receive the mask in slash notation. This notation works as a shorthand for the actual mask, and its respective text field can be usually found next to the IP Address, but if not, refer to your router’s user manual to find where to insert the mask.

 

The following table can be used as a cheat sheet to convert your standard Static IP Subnet Mask into slash notation:

 

Standard Mask Slash Notation Mask
255.255.255.252 /30
255.255.255.248 /29
255.255.255.240 /28
255.255.255.224 /27
255.255.255.192 /26
255.255.255.128 /25
255.255.255.0 /24
255.255.254.0 /23
255.255.252.0 /22
255.255.248.0 /21
255.255.240.0 /20
255.255.224.0 /19
255.255.192.0 /18
255.255.128.0 /17
255.255.0.0 /16

 

 

For additional variations of slash notation masks, as well as important information about subnet masks and their use in limiting the size of a network, view this memo from the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Enabling bridge mode

There are two Viasat modems that must be placed in bridge mode when setting up static IP. Enabling bridge mode will disable the WiFi being emitted on the Viasat modem. This allows the external router to fully control the Local Area Network and all custom network settings will be managed through the external router.
 

If bridge mode is not enabled, the Viasat Modem will continue to emit WiFi and cause issues. 

 

The two modem types that require bridge mode to be enabled are:

 

Surfbeam 2 Plus (SB2+)
Sb2-plus-modem
  1. SB2+ router GUI: using a web browser, go to router.viasatmodem.com and make sure you’re in the Router Settings menu.
  2. Select Advanced and then Scroll to the Bridge Mode Status area.
  3. Select Enabled to turn on bridge mode and click Save Changes (NOTE: If your GUI shows an Auto-Detect mode enabled, select Disable and Save Changes, then Enable bridge mode and Save Changes.)
  4. Wait for the modem to reboot and come back online.
Viasat Wireless Gateway
VWG.jpeg
  1. Open a web browser and type in the address bar router.viasatmodem.com (to access the Viasat Wireless Gateway modem’s router GUI. Log in with your credentials. (Factory default settings on the modem label if needed)
  2. Select Advanced and then scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.
  3. Select Enable Bridge Mode and click Save Changes.
  4. Wait for the modem to reboot and come back online
 

Frequently asked Questions about Static IP:

  • An IP address is essentially a way of getting information to and from your computer.
  • It functions an a return address on an envelope linking you online requests directly to your computer to ensure they're accurately addressed, routed, and delivered.

Dynamic IP

  • A dynamic IP is an IP address that is constantly changing. 
  • This usually occurs when the device or router/gateway is powered off or you connect to a different network outside your business.
  • For most users a dynamic IP works just fine.

Static IP

  • A static IP is an IP address that does not change.
  • The IP address will not change even if you power off your device or router/gateway. 

  • Businesses that host web services, do e-commerce, need remote access, or have certain security systems, etc.. will benefit most from a static IP address.

  •  No, Viasat subscriber IPs are IPv4. We do not support IPv6. Static IPs are provisioned as /32 (single IPs).

  • No, you cannot ping the gateway. 
  • If you need a testing IP for Internet connectivity, please use an external address such as 8.8.8.8 or the DNS Server IPs.
  • If you need to test the ability to reach your static IP terminal from an external location, you can ping your assigned Static IP if it is already being used by an attached device (computer, router, etc.) that has been configured to reply to pings. 
  • Please note that by default many devices restrict responses to pings for security reasons.

  • No, you will need to enter the static IP configuration into an external router.

  • If you experience connectivity issues after applying changes, double-check your settings and be sure to reboot your modem.
  • If you need to reboot the modem remotely, a Viasat care agent can do it for you, just call 855-313-4111.

 

 

 

Related articles you may be interested in:
Log Into My Viasat
Speak with Care Agent

855-313-4111