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How do I configure my static IP address?

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Summary: Once you've been assigned a static IP address you'll need to configure the network-connected device manually to use it. We'll look at how.

I have a server and have been assigned a static IP by my ISP. How do I go about configuring my server to work on its assigned IP?

99% of Windows internet users use what are called "dynamic" IP addresses. That means each time you connect to the internet, your ISP assigns you an IP address to use when you connect. The next time you connect, you might get a different address. If you're only connecting out to the internet, that's all you need.

If you expect people to connect in, say you want to run a web server that you want people to be able to find and visit, you'll most likely need a static IP address. A static IP is assigned by your ISP to you permanently, and identifies your server to the world.

The question is: once the IP is assigned ... then what?

If your computer is connected directly to the internet, meaning it's not behind a router or a firewall, it's actually pretty simple. In Control Panel, Network Connections, find the network connection that represents your connection to the internet. Most often it's labeled simply Local Area Connection. Right click on that and select Properties. Now click on the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) item in the list (you may have to scroll down within the list to find it):

Local Area Connection Properties

Now click on the properties button.

A default configuration will have both Obtain an IP address automatically, and Obtain DNS server address automatically selected.

Internet Protocol Properties

Click on Use the following IP address: and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway information that your ISP should have given you. (If they did not give you all three, ask them.)

In most cases they will also give you IP addresses for the DNS servers you should use. Click on Use the following DNS server addresses and enter that information as well.

That's it. Once you "OK" your way out of those configuration dialogs, your computer should now respond to its assigned IP address.

"The question is: once the IP is assigned ... then what?"

If you're behind a router, things get a little more complicated.

The first thing to realize is that the static IP address should probably be assigned to the router. That will require configuring the router, much like we configured your server above. Exactly how will vary from router to router, but the principals are the same: you'll configure the router to not get an IP address dynamically, but instead you'll enter the IP, gateway, subnet, and possibly DNS information by hand, using whatever approach your router uses for configuration.

The "trick", if you want to call it that, is telling the router to pass on requests it receives from the internet to your server. It's typically referred to as port-forwarding. Once again, depending on how your router is configured, the general idea is that you configure it to accept requests on certain "ports" and direct them to certain computers on your LAN.

The port part is fairly easy. If you want to set up a web server, then you'll know that port 80, where http requests are handled, is the port you want to forward. But to where?

Much like your direct connection to the internet, you'll need to assign your server a static IP address within your local network, so that the router knows what machine to forward the requests to. Typically a router will tell you, or let you configure, the range of IP addresses it will assign from dynamically, so you'll simply want to choose an IP address outside of that range. For example my router at home is configured to assign dynamic IPs starting at 192.168.1.100 and up. So I've elected to assign a static IP on my local area network of 192.168.1.2 (192.168.1.1 is the address of the router on the local network).

So the rest is simply a variation on what I've already covered: configure that server with the static IP you've chosen, a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 should do, the default gateway should be the router (192.168.1.1 in my case), and quite probably the router should also be your DNS. If not, use the DNS settings that your ISP assigned you.

Now configure the router to forward port 80 traffic to the static IP address you chose, and ... there you are. Your web server, behind a router, should be visible from the internet.

Port forwarding is actually very powerful, when set up correctly. In my case, I have port 80 traffic, for a web server, directed at one machine, Remote Desktop traffic (port 3389) is directed at another, and Skype (a post Skype selects randomly at setup time) to yet another.

Related:

Article C2370 - June 16, 2005

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Recent Comments
63 Comments

how can i convert my dynamic ip in the static ip

Talk to your ISP.
Leo
19-Sep-2009

Posted by: vickry at September 19, 2009 5:17 AM

Hi Leo,This is a Comprehensive Description of Configuring tatic IP Addresses.
Can you please advice on whether you have any Study Material on setting up a LAN.I would be required to go to different places setting up LAN's and Handling Issues on Network.

Posted by: Sam at September 22, 2009 4:30 AM

Morning Leo,
I was told by my Time Warner that I am not able to log on to the internet becaause my IP address is not working. Is this something I can do by myself or should I just take it down to a computer repair shop.
Best regards,
Rocio

Unfortunately "IP address is not working" doesn't really make sense, so I'm not sure what the problem actually is.
Leo
25-Sep-2009

Posted by: Rocio at September 24, 2009 7:24 AM

I use static ips on my network computers and my new isp wants me to set dns to obtain address automatically. That dns button is greyed out when I set computers to static ip addresses. Can that be changed?

Posted by: Joe at September 29, 2009 7:50 PM

I have group of 8Static IP given from my isp, and have router also from the isp. now how do i set-up my Windows 2008 webserver directly using one of those 8 IP addresses ?

Posted by: Hasham AR Wahaib at October 6, 2009 7:55 AM

hi,
how can i get static ip i have router but that is dynamic ip.
i want to open my pc from office how can i get static ip
plz help?

Posted by: mak at October 22, 2009 5:18 AM

hi leo i have 10 computer in my network but only 5 static ip. only the computer with static ip see each other. and the one with auto dchp see each other how can i make all of them on a same network so they all can see each other. thank you

Posted by: robin at October 22, 2009 12:16 PM

Hi,Im in the UK and broadband wont give me a static IP addy for my "home" use,only bloody business !! But I have to have one for CCTV,any ideas how I can do this?..Im using wireless and vista.Thanks

Posted by: jim at November 3, 2009 1:28 PM

Here's a brief rundown on getting a static IP:

Most ISPs know that a static IP is far more useful than a dynamic IP for setting up remote login, web servers, mail servers, CCTV systems, etc.

Accordingly, they sell inexpensive consumer plans with dynamic IPs, and expensive business plans with Static IPs.

There is no way to 'convert' your dynamic IP to a static IP, since the IP is provided by your ISP.

BUT - there is a way to link your home computer to a service called dyndns, which gives you a web address that connects to their software on your computer, updating the IP address as your ISP changes it.

This is what I use to remote into my mac with my iphone from work, and it works like a charm.

Posted by: thomanjones at November 12, 2009 5:57 PM

fanks for da info leo helped alot all i need to know is how do i get or find my custom dns code coz wen i go on my psp my psp sez dns error so how do i fix the router

Posted by: yayra at November 14, 2009 1:15 PM

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