Static IP Address Configuration

It is best to assign shared resources a static ip address. Assigning a fixed ip address to individual workstations should be avoided but to make servers, printers, and shared network storage, available on a consistent basis these items should have static addresses.

The simplest approach is to first let your router discover the network appliance via the DHCP process. Refer to my Computer Network Fundamentals page for more information on DHCP.

Using a network cable, plug your network appliance into your router

Turn the appliance on

From a workstation log into your router's management console (internet explorer enter - 192.168.1.1, or applicable)

Here you see the Router (Linkysys WRT160N) ip address of 192.168.1.1 with a network scope beginning at 192.168.1.100. Please note the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 is shown in one place, directly associated with the root of the network, this must remain consistent throughout the network. The machine number may change, the subnet mask will not.

linksys static ip

Select the DHCP Reservation button and you will see this table:

static ip

Pay particular attention to the MAC address. This is the serial number of the physical network card in your machine....assigned by the manufacturer. Your DHCP server assigns an ip address to this MAC address so to assign a static ip address we also need to reference the MAC address.

If I now wanted to assign FT50 a static ip addrress I would simply check the Select box and select Add Clients. The FT50 node would then drop down to the Reserved area.

You could also use the Manually Add Client area to copy and paste information, change the name and/or change the ip address (to an unused ip address). Here the MAC address is the anchor and cannot be changed.

Save your changes
Turn the appliance off then on
If applicable - use the management console on the appliance to set the ip address to coincide with your router settings

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