XP Ninja: Checking Your Network IP and Changing It

Well its so long time since my last post.OK,If you are setting up a secondary system, then it is great to have it functioning as a part of the network. A properly configured network will allow you to get so much more from your system and will allow all connected systems to better function together. Unfortunately, networking can be a tricky process, but there are a couple of things that can make your life a little easier.

After the jump, find out how to set and check your XP system’s IP.
Now, if you are a total n00b, don’t make the mistake that some people do and assume that your IP on the Internet and the IP of your computer on your network are one and the same, they are not. While they use a similar format, they are two separate addresses. When it comes to your local network, your Internet address is irrelevant.

How to check your network IP
Checking your local IP is a very simple process.
Click on Start and then click Run. Type cmd and hit Enter, this will bring up the command prompt. In the command prompt, type ipconfig, and hit Enter. You will see the IP address of your computer. If you need more information type: ipconfig /all and hit Enter.

How to set your network IP
In your Control Panel open Network Connections. Right click Local Area Connection and click Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. From here you will be able to set up your IP.

You will see two radio buttons, your system is likely to be set to Obtain an IP address automatically. Change it to Use the following IP address.

There are three settings that must be configured, these are IP address, Subnet Mask and Default gateway. When manually setting network IP fails, it is generally because the last two settings were overlooked.

Subnet Mask should invariably be: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway is the IP address of your router, generally: 192.168.1.1

Now for choosing your own IP there are a few rules. An IP address is comprised of four sets of numbers, each can number from 0-255. When it comes to private networks, however, there are some limitations. You can assign any IP within the following three ranges:
10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

I like to keep things simple so I tend to work with the 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 range, you have to be a little careful, as this is the range that IP addresses are normally assigned in, but if you change things up from the norm a little bit, you can pick an address that is easy to remember. Changing the third set of digits will ensure that your settings are outside of the automatic range. Start from 192.168.255.1 and work your way up with other systems.

Next, try to connect to the Internet. If it doesn’t check the other settings or revert back to the automatic setting. [Home-network-help]