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Assign Static IP Address
(Windows 98 / ME)

Document number: LSfaq.004
Copyright (c) 2001-2002 1stWorks Corporation. All rights reserved.

Also see Assign Static IP Address (Windows XP)

Disclaimer: This information is provided to help you configure your system so that you can use hotComm, IM-Live, and ezPeer. 1stWorks Corporation takes no responsibility for any changes you make to your network or router by using these instructions or from errors in these instructions.

We strongly advise that you consult with your network and router administrators before making any changes.

Your current IP address

Before you start, find your computer's current IP address. To find the IP address:

  1. From the computer's Windows Start menu, select Run. In the space, type: winipcfg. Click OK.

    The computer's IP address is shown as IP Address.

    winipcfg

  2. In the IP Configuration window, click More Info.

    Note the entry in DHCP Server. If it is blank, then your current IP address is static. If it is not blank, then your current IP address is dynamic.

    winipcfg More Info

If your current IP address is:

  • Static, then make note of the IP address. You need the IP address when you open ports in your router or firewall.

  • Dynamic, then continue with these instructions.

Choose an IP address

Choose an IP address, and collect other information needed in order to assign a static IP address to your computer.

  1. In your router administration program, find and remember this information:

    • Router (Gateway) IP address
    • Subnet Mask
    • IP addresses of your DNS servers

  2. In your router administration program, find an IP address that can be assigned as a static IP.

    The address:

    • Must not be one that might be assigned to someone as a dynamic address.

    • Must not be one that has been assigned to another device (often these are the low numbers).

    • Must be lower than the range of dynamic addresses.

    Check with your network administrator if necessary.

    For example, if you are using a Linksys router, you might see that the Starting IP address is 192.168.1.100 and the Number of DHCP users is 50. This means that the dynamic IP addresses assigned are in the range 192.168.1.100-192.168.1.149. You avoid the low numbers such as 192.168.1.1 because they are often assigned to other devices. You choose 192.168.1.50 because it is high enough to avoid the other devices and yet it is lower than the starting dynamic IP.

Assign the IP address

  1. On your computer, go to Control Panel and select Network.

  2. In the Configuration tab, highlight your network TCP/IP card component, and click Properties.

    TCP Network

  3. In the IP Address tab, select Specify an IP Address. Enter the IP address you chose for the computer, and the Subnet Mask you noted from your router.

    TCP IP Address

  4. In the Gateway tab, check that Installed Gateways includes the router's IP Address you noted from your router. If it is not there, add it.

    TCP Gateway

  5. In the DNS Configuration tab:
    ItemEntry
    Enable DNS:Select Enable DNS
    Host:Enter a name for your computer. This can be any name of your choice.
    Domain:Do not change the existing entry. If blank, leave it blank.
    DNS Server Search Order:Add the DNS Server IP addresses you noted from your router.
    Domain Suffix Search Order:Do not change the existing entries. If blank, leave blank.

    TCP DNS tab

  6. You do not need to make changes in the remaining tabs.

  7. Click OK.

  8. You may be required to restart your computer. If so, do this now.

  9. Check your new IP address. From the Windows Start menu, select Run. Type winipcfg in the Open: field and click OK. You should see your new IP address.

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