How Can I Get a Static IP?

Take control over your network with static IP addressing.

The IP address of a computer is a numerical code that is used to identify itself on a network. This number allows other devices on the network to communicate with the computer. Using a static IP address means the numerical address will never change, as opposed to a dynamic IP that may change upon reboot. A static IP address will provide better network security protection over a dynamic IP address.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" menu and select the "Run" option. You will see a run window with a blank box at the bottom. Type "cmd" (without the quotation marks) in the box and click the "OK" button. This will bring up a black command prompt window.

2. Type the line "ipconfig /all" (without quotation marks) into the command prompt window that opened and then hit the "Enter" key. Write down the IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS servers that are now shown. Type "Exit" (without the quotation marks) and hit "Enter" to close this window.

3. Open the "Start" menu and click on "Control Panel." Double click the "Network Connections" option. Your local network connection will be shown here. Right-click your connection and select "Properties" from the menu.

4. Select the "General" tab in the "Properties" window, then click on "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)." Once this is selected, click on the "Properties" button.

5. Write down all of the settings that you currently see in this window. In case something goes wrong, you can always put the original values back in place.

6. Click on the radio button labeled "Use the Following IP Address." Then you will fill in the information that you previously obtained regarding the IP address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. In order to set a static IP address, change the last digit of the IP address that you insert here. Only the last digit should change, and it must be a number between 1 and 254. Also, insert the DNS server values that you previously recorded into the boxes here. Select OK to accept all changes and exit.

7. Launch your Internet browser. If your Internet will not connect, it is due to the DNS servers that you have entered here. Contact your Internet service provider and they will be able to provide you with DNS server values.

References

• Port Forward: Static IP Address Help
• Topbits: How to Set Static IP Addresses