Windows TCP/IP Network Settings Explained
In the Local Area Connection Properties window find the box that reads “This connection uses the following items.” Use the scroll bar to locate the “Internet Properties (TCP/IP)” then highlight it and click the properties button.
You will see the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window displayed. If you are using DHCP your window should look like the one below.
When the options “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected, your computer will be set to operating using DHCP. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. The basic idea behind DHCP is to have a DHCP server give each computer a unique IP Address. The IP address will expire at a set amount of time. When the address expires, the computer will try to renew the address with the server. If the address is not renew it can be assigned to another computer.
If you are using DHCP your computer could have a different IP Address every time you turn it on. DHCP is very useful for large network, and has saved many network administrators from having to manually set the IP address at each computer.
You can assign a static IP address, one that doesn’t change, to your computer. There are many reasons that you may want to set a static IP address. The main reason that I use static IP addresses is because I run servers on several of my PC. One PC runs Terminal Services so that I can Windows Remote Desktop Connection to connect into my PC from anywhere. Another computer operates as an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server so that I can share files over the internet. I want these machines to have static IP addresses so I can identify them. It doesn’t do me any good to have a server running, but not know how to find it on the network.
If you wanted to set a static IP Address first you would select the option for “Use the Following IP Address”. You will notice that the DNS server option has changed as well.
Now if you know what IP Address you are going to use, enter it in the box. You will want this to be a unique address. You will also want to make sure that the IP address that you choose is not going to be assign to a DHCP client if you have other machines on your network that operate on DHCP. Hint: Most home routers will allow you to set the range for DHCP, just make sure you use an address that is outside that range.
Enter the IP address in the box.
Now you will have to enter your subnet mask. In a nutshell, a subnet mask defines which part of the IP address is reserved for the host (to identify the network) and which part is reserved for the host (each computer). Subnetting can be difficult for some people to grasp so I will not really get into it. Most home networks will use a special class C IP address which is usually something like 192.168.1.X . The default subnet mask for a class C network is 255.255.255.0. To try to keep it brief that means that 192.168.1 will be the network and next number will be the host.
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