How to Have Multiple IP Addresses With One Computer

Computers can have multiple IP addresses manually assigned to them. This setting is useful for computers part of a large network, subdivided into many smaller networks, called subnets, each with their own IP addressing schemes. Instead of changing the IP address of the computer every time it moves from one subnet to another, setting multiple IP addresses to cater to the different subnets is an easier way. The computer can automatically connect to the different subnets using all the IP addresses configured in its system.

Instructions

1. Click "Start." This is the circular button with the Windows logo at the bottom of the screen.

2. Click "Control Panel" and type "adapter" in the search box. Press "Enter."

3. Click "View Network Connections" under "Network and Sharing Center."

4. Right-click the network connection you want to have multiple IP addresses and click "Properties." Available network connections in a computer are either wired (local area network) or wireless.

5. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."

6. Choose the radio button "Use the Following IP Address" and enter an IP address that the computer uses. Also, enter the value for the network's subnet mask and default gateway in the "Subnet mask" and "Default gateway" boxes respectively.

7. Click the "Advanced" button.

8. Go to the "IP Settings" tab and click "Add" under the "IP Addresses" box.

9. Add another IP address and subnet mask in the "IP address" and "Subnet mask" boxes respectively. Click "OK" to close.

10. Click the "Add" button again under the "IP Addresses" box and add another set of IP address and subnet mask. Continue adding IP addresses and subnet masks until you've added all the IP addresses you'd like the computer to have.

11. Click the "Add" button under "Gateway." Add a gateway IP address in the "Gateway" box. Click "OK" to close.

12. Click the "Add" button again to add additional gateways.

13. Click the "OK" button thrice to close the gateway box, the "Advanced" properties window and the network adapter properties.

References

• Microsoft: Configuring IP Addressing and Name Resolution
• Microsoft: Configuring TCP/IP networking
• Load Testing Tool: How to Set up Multiple IP Addresses on a Computer