IP Address in ipconfig differs from IP Address on IP address checking websites

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dano
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D

Dano

Windows XP, Firefox

I am somewhat confused. My IP address as reported by
Start>Run>Ipconfig is different than when I log into websites that
check your IP for you, such as http://www.all-nettools.com/toolbox. Is
this normal? I am connected fine, and I am using a wireless adapter,
but I can't figure out why the website and windows reports my IP
differently.

Ideas?

Thanks.
 
Dano said:
Windows XP, Firefox

I am somewhat confused. My IP address as reported by
Start>Run>Ipconfig is different than when I log into websites that
check your IP for you, such as http://www.all-nettools.com/toolbox. Is
this normal? I am connected fine, and I am using a wireless adapter,
but I can't figure out why the website and windows reports my IP
differently.

Ideas?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
If you have a router, then what you will get from that site is the IP
address of the router. If you have a router, then it will assign an IP
address from its pool of non-routable addresses.
Jim
 
Hi Dano,

Yes, this is normal. When you go to a site like the one you mentioned, it
gives you your "external" ip address. When you type in "ipconfig" at the
command prompt, it gives you your "internal" ip address.

All websites have external ip addresses as well. Try this: At the command
prompt type in ping www.msn.com

It will give you 207.68.173.74. If you type this number into your address
bar in Firefox or IE it would be the same as typing in www.msn.com.
 
Hi Jim,

If Dano is behind a router, which most likely he or she is, it will NOT get
the IP address of the router. That website is picking up her external ip
address.
 
Dano said:
Windows XP, Firefox

I am somewhat confused. My IP address as reported by
Start>Run>Ipconfig is different than when I log into websites that
check your IP for you, such as http://www.all-nettools.com/toolbox.
Is
this normal? I am connected fine, and I am using a wireless adapter,
but I can't figure out why the website and windows reports my IP
differently.
Click to expand...

The website is reporting your public IP address which your router gets
from your cable/DSL provider's modem. Your router provides your
computer with a private IP address, probably something like
192.168.x.xxx (where the "x" can be any number).

This is normal and desirable behavior.

Malke
 
Darrell/Malke/Jim,

Thanks for the responses and the help. Making sure I have this right:

The IP address reported by the aforemetioned website is probably my
external IP. The IP address reported by the ipconfig is probably my
internal IP. Do I have that right? Additionally, my ISP or my router
probably has a set of IPs that it uses for connections?

If so, further questions, because I am the curious sort:

1. Why does ipconfig report my router IP--Indeed it was my routers IP,
I use that IP to login to my router to change settings. It doesn't
seem like thats all that useful, to give the router IP. Or would
Windows not know better? Which begs my next question...

2. Can you take me from the turning on of my computer to the acquisiton
of my external IP, that process? Is it something like:
Turn on PC>Adapter connects with router>Mode,/Router has set of IPs
from ISP>Router issues IP address for current session.

I am sure thats wrong but, it would be nice to know how it works.

Thanks again!
Dano

P.S. Dano is a he.
 
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