Why do my local network ip addresses keep changing?

[Eric Shubert]

Stephen wrote:
> you have two options either use static assignments in whatever you use
> to assign DHCP so it will always give Mac address X Ip Y

This is the method I prefer. I call this a 'fixed' address (as does 
IPCop), as DHCP is still used to obtain an address, routing and DNS 
information (so it's not what's commonly referred to as 'static', which 
is configured on each computer), but each computer ends up with a fixed, 
or unchanging, address.

The way this is done is by modifying the DHCP server's settings. Some 
DHCP server's configuration settings (web pages) allow this feature to 
be used, and some do not allow for it. It all depends on the router 
(assuming here that your router is also your DHCP server) you are using. 
In your router's configuration (web pages), look for the DHCP Server 
settings. If you can find a place for specifying fixed leases (a MAC 
address and IP address together), this is where you'll add each 
computer's MAC address, along with the corresponding IP address you want 
assigned.

If your router doesn't allow for fixed leases, you'll need to configure 
each computer individually, giving each one a static IP address, along 
with gateway and DNS addresses. The gateway address is the address of 
your router. Your DNS addresses will be assigned by your ISP, and should 
be obtainable from your router's configuration. Look at the WAN 
interface status/configuration for DNS addresses. These addresses will 
be the same for all your computers, as well as your router.

If you have difficulties, please post the make/model of your router (or 
better yet a link to the user manual for it), and we can help you out.

HTH.

> or to
> configure your devices with static IP's
> 
> This is the nature of DHCP and it works they way by design.
> 
> 3rd alternative is to set a DHCP lease so effing long that it
> essentially never expires. but i am a larger fan of DHCP assignments.
> 
> On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 5:04 PM,  <joe at actionline.com> wrote:
>> I have four computers on my local network, 3 of which access by wireless.
>> While most will go along working fine for a while, occasionally the ip
>> number changes on some of them.
>>
>> Why does that happen and is there any way to prevent that or to be able to
>> reset the ip# back to what it was?
>>
>>
>>
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> 
> 


-- 
-Eric 'shubes'