Same IP Address Conflict

Identical IP address on a local area network are a common problem that is generally easy to correct.

Same Internet Protocal (IP) address conflicts can occur on any local network. This is when two or more devices are assigned duplicate IP addresses on a network, usually caused by simple configuration errors by the administrator.

Preconfigured Hardware IP Addresses

Many network devices come preconfigured with common IP addresses and have to be reconfigured to work properly.

Many wireless routers, modems and other network devices come preprogrammed with the same local IP addresses by default. A commonly issued IP address is 192.168.1.1. Any identical preprogrammed addresses must be changed on one or more of the devices to ensure that they can function together.

Solution

Same IP address conflicts can usually be avoided by consulting your owner's manual for each network device. These materials can help you troubleshoot and diagnose potential problems.

Identifiying Problems

There are many signs that a network has identical IP addresses. In Microsoft Windows operating system, an error will appear in association with the second computer or device to which a duplicate IP address is assigned. Other signs would include loss of Internet connection or file sharing capabilities.

References

• IP address conflict problems
• Standard IP Addresses