How to Add an Alternate IP Address In Windows Vista

On occasion you will find that you want to have a static IP address set for one or more of your network adapters in Windows Vista. Perhaps you work on a network that assigns IP addresses for you but your home network requires a static IP address or vice versa.
Whatever the case may be - Windows Vista does support assigning and alternate IP address to each network adapter on your computer.
The one caveat to this is that you will need to set the alternate IP address to be on the an IP version 4 network. The IP version 6 settings do not appear to support alternate addresses yet.

Things You'll Need

• A static IP address
• The Subnet Mask for the network
• The default gateway for the network
• DNS servers for the network.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the control panel through the start menu either at: Start --> Control Panel.

2. Click the Network and Internet option.

3. Click on Network and Sharing Center to open the network console.

4. When the console opens click on the link on the left hand side that says "Manage network connections".

5. Locate the adapter you would like to set an alternate IP address for. You may have a Local Area Connection and / or a Wireless Network connection listed you would like to change.

6. Right click on the network connection you wish to set an alternate address for and choose properties.

7. Scroll down and locate the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option. Click on it and click Properties.

8. Click on the Alternate Configuration tab and fill in the information for IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS server(s) with information that corresponds to your network. Be sure to use an IP address that is available. The image below is an example of a network operating on a typical home network.

9. Click Ok until you are back out to they main screen - you should now have an alternate IP address assigned.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not know your private DNS server you can use: 4.2.2.2 as a DNS server. This is an open public DNS server.

• The alternate IP address will only take effect if you can not obtain one automatically from the network.

• If you have an IP address conflict (2 adapters on the network with the same IP address) there will be problems with connectivity.