As you may know already, every computer or device that connects to your local network needs an IP address to communicate with other clients and to access the Internet.
By default, most consumer and small business level routers come with a DHCP server enabled. This server hands out and manages the IP addresses on your local network.
However, clients aren't always given the same IP address from the DHCP server when they connect. This can cause problems, or at least become annoying, when you have servers on the network or you frequently share files.
For example, it would be easier to remember the IP addresses of shared computers. Therefore, if you can't access it on the network you could try using its IP address instead of browsing to it or using its Computer Name—this trick saves me from many headaches.
As you see, sometimes it's better to configure static IP addresses (that don't change) for the servers, or all the devices, on the network.
So in this article, we'll step through three different methods to move from dynamic to static IP addresses. Now let's get started!
Ways to Convert from Dynamic to Static IP Addresses
Here are three different approaches you can use to move from using dynamic IPs, handed out by DHCP, to configuring static or permanent addresses:
- Reserve DHCP addresses on the router for select clients: If your router has a DHCP reservation feature, this is a great way to quickly solve your IP dilemma. You don't have to physically configure each computer. You simply tell the router to always give a client a certain IP.
- Manually configure select clients with static IP addresses: Do this only if select devices and computers need a static IP and the other ones can use DHCP. You'd have to take a minute or two and input the IP details into the desired computer(s). It's not as quick to go this route with multiple computers; however, you don't have to access the router.
- Manually configure all clients and disable DHCP on the router: This is similar to the above approach but requires you or the users to manually configure any device that connects to the network.
Thus when the client polls the DHCP server when it connects to the network, it will automatically receive its reserved IP. Clients without a reservation will simply receive a random IP like normal. You might even think about doing this for all your computers and devices; it's quick and easy.
Even regular network users have the ability to do this, given that they have administrative rights on their Windows account or at least the ability to edit network settings.
This is great if you find it beneficial that all the computers and devices have a permanent IP address. Just keep in mind that you'll need to manage these addresses.
If you have more than a few clients on the network, you'll probably have to store a list of addresses and reference it when new clients join, so there isn't a conflict.
We'll step through these approaches in the next sections.
Reserving DHCP Addresses
As mentioned, in this approach you can selectivity reserve IP addresses for certain clients. The first step is to bring up your router's web-based configuration utility by typing in its IP address; for example, 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1 are popular addresses for routers.
Once you log in with the default password or one you've created, find the spot where you can change the DHCP settings. Some routers have this in the General or Network tab, while some have a DHCP tab dedicated to it.
Now see if the router's DHCP server has a reservation feature. For example, you might see something similar to what's pictured in Figure 1. If it does have it, configure reservations for the desired clients.
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You might find it works like the example D-Link router, in which you can select a computer or client by its name to automatically fill in its Name, MAC Address, and current IP. Then you can optionally change the IP to something more memorable and hit Add. When you're done, you should see the reservation on the list, in which you can modify or delete it.
Simply leave the default setting for the network adapter(s) in Windows configured to automatically receive an IP. The client(s) should receive the reserved IP instead of a random dynamic one when they poll the DHCP server.
Manually Configuring Clients
If your router doesn't sport the reservation feature, or if you prefer to go with one of the manual routes, you'll need to configure each desired computer with a static IP. First, you'll need to bring up the properties dialog for the wired or wireless network connection or adapter, in Windows XP or Vista.
Then find and open the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) entry (see Figure 2) from the list box. The TCP/IP Properties dialog should appear. There's two different ways to configure a static IP; we'll discuss each.
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First, you can set it "normally;" the network adapter will always use the static IP details you enter for any network it connects to. Then if it does need to connect to a different network that has DHCP on, you'd probably have to change the setting back to obtain IP details automatically; and then reconfigure it when reconnecting with the static network.
To use this method, stay on the General tab, and click the Use the following IP address radio button (see Figure 3).
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The other way to configure a static IP is to use the Alternate Configuration method. This is beneficial only if you're going to disable DHCP completely on the network. You would configure the computer with a static IP to be used only when one is not automatically given to the computer.
Thus the user could go between using your static network and other dynamic networks (for example, at home or at a hotspot) without having to switch between static and automatic IP settings.
To use this method, click the Alternate Configuration tab and click the User configured radio button (see Figure 4).
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Either way you go, you input the same IP details:
- IP Address: Pick an address within the same subnet as the router. For example, if your router is 192.168.1.1 (subnet 255.255.255.0), you could go with anything between 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.255, or if it's 192.168.0.1 (subnet 255.255.255.0), 192.168.0.2–192.168.0.255 would be the range.
- Subnet Mask: This would be the same as your router, probably 255.255.255.0.
- Default Gateway: This is your router's IP address.
- Preferred DNS: You can either enter a DNS server's IP address, if you know it, or simply enter your router's IP address.
Disabling DHCP on the Router
If you want to manually configure every client, you can disable the router from handing out and managing the addresses automatically. Bring up your router's web-based configuration utility by typing in its IP address; for example 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
Log in and find the section where you can change the DHCP settings, such as on the General, Network, or DHCP tab. Once you find the DHCP settings, there should be a checkbox or option to enable/disable the server (see Figure 5).
Uncheck the appropriate option and save the settings. Then from now on, users won't be able to access the network or Internet until they've configured a static IP on their computer.
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We've Done It
We discovered how to move from using automatic IP addressing to static, so we can better use servers on the network and access shared computer via their IP. We review three approaches and stepped through each. If you changed any settings on the router, make sure that you back up the settings by saving a restore file to your computer.
Finally, enjoy your static IPs!