How to Find an Available IP Address on the Network
Every device that is connected to your local network has its own unique IP address. Some devices, such as a camera streaming video, require a static IP. Other devices, such as a printer or laptop, can use a dynamic IP assigned by your router. When two devices attempt to connect to the network with the same IP address, there is an IP conflict, which can prevent either device from connecting successfully. Prevent IP address conflicts by checking the range of available IPs in your router's DHCP client table.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Router's internal IP address
- Administrative login and password for the router
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1
Open an Internet browser window.
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2
Type the internal IP address assigned to your router in the address bar of the Internet browser to connect to the router. The IP address assigned to your router will be listed in the documentation that came with the router.
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3
Log in to your router. The log in window will ask you for your ID and password. The administrator login and password are a default setting, and included with the manufacturer's documentation that came with the router.
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4
Read through the DHCP server assignment tables and look for an available IP address. Every router stores this information in a different screen, so just look for a tab that mentions "Routing Table" or "DHCP." The DHCP server assignment table will list the range of IP addresses that are automatically assigned. Internal IP's that are not on this list are available for assignment. For example, if the DHCP range is 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.20, that means that 192.168.1.21 is available.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Every router comes with a default set of information, including an internal IP address, login and password. If you have lost the documentation that came with your router, you can find this information on the router manufacturer's website.
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References
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