Manually adding network settings

[slowcoach]

I am using SACM (Ethernet).

Instead of having the network settings set to Obtain IP/DNS address automatically is there any good reason why I should not enter these settings manually, the reason I ask is that if they are set manually the Internet appears to be more responsive/less latency.

I appreciate that settings would have to be altered if the IP Address changed but I was wondering if anything else within the system will affect my connection at any time if I do enter the settings manually.

With BT ADSL I always used to set the network settings manually and experienced no problems running 24/7 but I wondered if NTL Cable was different.

If in doubt, ask the experts......:confused:

[JohnHorb]

I'd wait for some NTL bod to come by to confirm, but I suspect that if you set these manually, there will be nothing to renew your (DHCP) lease on the IP address, so it may become released and leased to someone else.

[Steve H]

Can't see why you should experiance less latency and responsivness by having it set to obtain automatically :confused:.. The only difference being is that your computer automatically obtains an IP addy and a DNS addy itself.. shouldn't experiance any other side effects from having it set this way. :shrug:

[slowcoach]

Thanks John,

I think I had a problem losing connection when the lease expired once, but can't be sure, cetainly doesn't lose connection every time the lease expires. I would have thought that the Cable network system would be similar to the ADSL network but I will wait and see if this is specific to Cable or NTL or if I was just lucky with ADSL.

[slowcoach]

Can't see why you should experiance less latency and responsivness by having it set to obtain automatically :confused:.. The only difference being is that your computer automatically obtains an IP addy and a DNS addy itself.. shouldn't experiance any other side effects from having it set this way. :shrug:I tried using robin walker's speedtest and while manual settings would produce something like
1st 128K took 721 ms = 181792 Bytes/sec = approx 1513 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 721 ms = 181792 Bytes/sec = approx 1513 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 721 ms = 181792 Bytes/sec = approx 1513 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 721 ms = 181792 Bytes/sec = approx 1513 kbits/sec

On automatic 1st = approx 300/400 kbits/sec
with the rest at >1500 kbits/sec
Also on automatic web pages loaded slower, however, I have just run the test again and this time I got identical results in both manual and automatic.
Originally something else was obviously entering the equation.

Thanks for the help, I will leave the settings on automatic to be on the safe side seeing as they don't detract in any way.