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Have you ever wondered how to make your IP static within your network?
There are very main reasons you would want this. It will make your internal IP address constant, meaning your IP address will never change, and you can always access it by that number. Normally, your computer automatically finds your IP address, using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). The computer is automatically assigned an internal IP address when it loads up. So, depending on how many computers were turned on before hand, your computer may be given a new IP address each time.
Making your IP static will allow you to access it. Combined with port forwarding, you will be able to access your computer's services all the time with a static IP. For example, you can have your desktop serve as an FTP Server so you can grab all your files, or share files with your friends. You can also have another computer set as a Web server running ColdFusion or Apache with your website. To do this, and to make sure those services are always running (at least when your computer is on), you must staticize your IP.
Before proceeding to make your computer acquire a static IP, there is some information you have to take down from your router. You will need to choose your Subnet Mask, Router/Gateway, and the DNS Servers. You will also need to choose your own internal IP address. You should put your IP address outside of your dynamic range. Please note that all routers are made differently.
I'll show you how to do this using a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband (WRT54G) router.
- Login to your Linksys Router by typing 192.168.1.1 in an internet browser.
- By default, the login is left empty and the password is 'admin'.
- It will bring you to the Setup screen.
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- Depending on what you want your IP address to be (such as 192.168.1.100/101/102), set the starting IP address to 192.168.1.103 or higher. This is where the dynamic IPs will start from. You need to keep DHCP for computers that join your network, such as your friends' notebooks.
- The Local IP address, 192.168.1.1 is the Gateway that you will need. It may be different in your case.
- The Subnet Mask is usually 255.255.255.0
- Next, go to the Status Tab to gather the DNS which you will need to enter.
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You are now ready to configure your static IP on your operating system.
Mac OSX
- Press the Apple on the top left of your screen and go to System Preferences.
- Under the Internet & Network section click Network.
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- Click AirPort, or which ever connection you are using and click Configure.
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- Click the TCP/IP tab.
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- For Configure IPv4, select Manually from the pull down menu.
- Enter the IP Address that you have chosen. Use something like 192.168.1.100. Something that is outside of the range that you stated earlier, so that another computer doesn't take this IP dynamically.
- Leave the Subnet Mask as is (255.255.255.0).
- Your Router field should be the same as the Local IP Address listed above. In this case, it is 192.168.1.1.
- Next enter your DNS Servers, provided above.
- Click Apply now, and your settings should save.
Once you have made your IP static, you are free to forward ports so that you can acccess your computer from anywhere. I wouldn't make your IP static for laptops, because it will not work with other people's wireless networks. You should leave your laptops as DHCP or Automatic so that it will work wherever you are.
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