Lose Internet Connection when making IP static

[miznatt]

Hello! My question is in regards to my laptop which runs Windows XP SP3, has
a NIC called Intel PRO/1000 MT Mobile Connection and has the latest
drivers/windows updates. We have several computers in the house that are all
hard-wired through a switch without the use of a router. I've researched
methods on changing from a dynamic IP to a static, an example being this
tutorial:

http://www.hotcomm.com/faq/FAQ_staticIPXP.asp

I am able to successfully obtain the static IP each time, but once that is
in place, even after restarting I am unable to go to Web pages or update
software so the Internet doesn't work, even though the Network TCP/IP icon in
my system tray says that I'm connected. I've tried different numbers for the
last set of numbers in the IP address and I do not use any other firewalls
outside of Windows Firewall set with the default settings. Is there anything
I can do to keep a static IP & still have Internet access? Thanks so much for
your time!

Matt

 

[Jack [MVP-Networking]]

Hi
I do not know what type of Internet connection you have to the Internet. In
order to use one connection for few computers you need a Router.
If your ISP provides you with multiple Internet IPs and that is the reason
for Not having a Router, then you can Not use your own static IP since your
IPS are coming from the ISP server.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).

 

[miznatt]

Thanks for a quick reply,

I have a Broadband connection (Time Warner Roadrunner ISP) and my desktop
computer connects through a cable modem, which in turn is connected into an
8-port network switch via Cat5 ethernet. Stemming from the switch are several
other Cat5 ethernet cables which are ran through the apartment to the other
computers, including my laptop. It has a different IP address than my desktop
does. I'm not sure if that will help assess the problem further, let me know
if there is any other information I can provide-

Matt

 

[John Wunderlich]

I have a Broadband connection (Time Warner Roadrunner ISP) and my
desktop computer connects through a cable modem, which in turn is
connected into an 8-port network switch via Cat5 ethernet.
Stemming from the switch are several other Cat5 ethernet cables
which are ran through the apartment to the other computers,
including my laptop. It has a different IP address than my desktop
does. I'm not sure if that will help assess the problem further,
let me know if there is any other information I can provide-

Unless you pay extra for multiple IP addresses, a standard Time
Warner Modem will only give out and service one IP address. If you
truly have a straight Modem (and not a Modem/Router) and if you want
more devices connected to the internet, then you need to replace your
8-port switch with a Home _Router_ (which you can then run into your
switch if you want.

HTH,
John

 

[miznatt]

Thanks for letting me know about the need for a router! I do have one around
that I'm not using, and I drew 2 different network scenarios in MS Paint.
Ideally, I'd think to set it up as in Scenario One, since my laptop is the
only one with the need for another IP anyway, however Scenario Two is the
setup in the back of my mind that I think would be most logical. The link to
the picture is-

http://i50.tinypic.com/2heypno.jpg

Thanks again for all of the support I've received thus far,

Matt

 

[Jack [MVP-Networking]]

Hi
Scenario two is the correct one.
The switch is just an extension to the Router's switch.
http://www.ezlan.net/router.jpg
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[miznatt]

Awesome, thanks so much!

 

[John Wunderlich]

Thanks for letting me know about the need for a router! I do have
one around that I'm not using, and I drew 2 different network
scenarios in MS Paint. Ideally, I'd think to set it up as in
Scenario One, since my laptop is the only one with the need for
another IP anyway, however Scenario Two is the setup in the back
of my mind that I think would be most logical. The link to the
picture is-

http://i50.tinypic.com/2heypno.jpg

Thanks again for all of the support I've received thus far,

Matt

I agree with Jack. Use Scenario Two.

In scenario one, any device plugged into the switch could get the one
IP address that the Modem has to give out. If the Modem burped, then
it would be roulette as to which single device got the IP number and
the rest would be out-of-luck.

Scenario two guarantees that the Router will get that one IP address.
The router, in turn, will pass out as many IP addresses as needed to
the other devices on your network.

-- John

 

[[SMF]]

Thanks for letting me know about the need for a router! I do have one around
that I'm not using, and I drew 2 different network scenarios in MS Paint.
Ideally, I'd think to set it up as in Scenario One, since my laptop is the
only one with the need for another IP anyway, however Scenario Two is the
setup in the back of my mind that I think would be most logical. The link to
the picture is-

http://i50.tinypic.com/2heypno.jpg

Thanks again for all of the support I've received thus far,

Matt

Let me get this straight. The switch worked under DHCP, but did not
work when you used static addresses, correct?

If you ran ipconfig /all on all of the machines and verified their
respective IP addresses, Gateways, and DNS', then that information
should work if you went to static addresses unless your modem is
the DHCP server.

One thing I might have missed is whether or not your switch has
NAT capability, or is it just a plain old switch? Regardless,
it would be better, if more than one PC is going to have Internet
activity at a time, that you use a switch. Unless the router you
have laying around is a router/switch combo.