Sometimes it is much better to assign a certain computer its own IP address , instead of having the router assign it automatically, something that happens using a protocol known under the name of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). .
This protocol becomes a practical way for different devices to connect to the network, through the router, in a much faster, easier and easier way, which means that it is not necessary to configure the IP address for each new device, mostly manually.
However, this can have some disadvantages, such as that automatic addressing can cause the IP address of a certain device to tend to change from time to time.
Although this may not be a problem in most cases, in certain situations it can cause conflicts between different devices . Just as we may be interested in establishing a static IP address when troubleshooting network problems, or because we have certain applications that could only connect to network devices using our IP address.
Setting a static IP address in Windows
When modifying our IP address in Windows, it is necessary to open the Network Connections window. To do this, we must press the Windows keyboard keys + R, type in the Run box ‘ncpa.cpl’, and then press OK or Enter.
Now we are in the Network Connections window. On the icon of the adapter in which we want to establish a static IP address, click on it with the right button, and click on Properties .
In the adapter properties window, we must select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4) section , and once selected, click on the Properties button.
Now we select the option Use the following IP address , instead of continuing to check the option Obtain an IP address automatically. Then, we enter the IP address, the subnet mask and the default gateway (which will be the one that corresponds to the network configuration of our router).
Next, we write the preferred and alternative DNS server address, click the Configuration Validity option when exiting, which will help Windows to immediately verify our new IP address, and click on the OK button.
To finish, we must close the window related to the properties of the network adapter. And finally, we wait for Windows to automatically run the network diagnostics to verify that the Internet connection is working properly, and that everything is correct.
