Cable Forum - View Single Post - manually configuring IP and DNS addresses

Robbie · 22-10-2005, 23:44

Could someone tell me if it is perfectly OK to manually configure the IP address and the DNS server address? I have a problem in that (when IP/DNS addresses are obtained automatically) whenever I disable my internet connection and then re-enable it I am often unable to reconnect back to the internet unless I restart the computer. Sometimes I get a message to say I have limited or no connectivity.

I noticed once before that if I manually configure the IP address and the DNS server address in TCP/IP properties (Local Area Connections -> Properties -> LA Connection Properties -> TCP/IP Properties) I reconnect almost immediately. The only difference appears to be the Network Connections window (Start -> Network Connections) lists details of the Local Area Connection as "Manually Configured" rather than "Assigned By DHCP". I got the details for the IP address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway from IPCONFIG and the DNS details (2 addresses) from a thread here in the email forum. I have used both DNS server addresses.

Is it OK to configure like this? The reason why I disconnect from the internet is because I use the computer for long lengths of time where I do not access the internet but I'm on the 1MB service (3GB cap) and prefer to keep data transfers to a minimum when I'm not actually using the internet (OK it isn't a great deal, but 2 or 3 hours a day over a month can add up to quite a few MB I would imagine). Is there any other configurations I need to make / do? I'm a novice at all this I don't need to configure the firewall (Zone Alarm) differently or anything like that?

Does anyone know what the problem may be, why I can't always reconnect automatically? I can only assume it's a computer problem, as I've had this problem since replacing my computer a few months back. Previously I could disable and reconnect to the internet as easily as I can do now when manually configuring.

Thanks!

22-10-2005, 23:44	#1
Robbie Inactive Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wearside Posts: 19	manually configuring IP and DNS addresses Could someone tell me if it is perfectly OK to manually configure the IP address and the DNS server address? I have a problem in that (when IP/DNS addresses are obtained automatically) whenever I disable my internet connection and then re-enable it I am often unable to reconnect back to the internet unless I restart the computer. Sometimes I get a message to say I have limited or no connectivity. I noticed once before that if I manually configure the IP address and the DNS server address in TCP/IP properties (Local Area Connections -> Properties -> LA Connection Properties -> TCP/IP Properties) I reconnect almost immediately. The only difference appears to be the Network Connections window (Start -> Network Connections) lists details of the Local Area Connection as "Manually Configured" rather than "Assigned By DHCP". I got the details for the IP address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway from IPCONFIG and the DNS details (2 addresses) from a thread here in the email forum. I have used both DNS server addresses. Is it OK to configure like this? The reason why I disconnect from the internet is because I use the computer for long lengths of time where I do not access the internet but I'm on the 1MB service (3GB cap) and prefer to keep data transfers to a minimum when I'm not actually using the internet (OK it isn't a great deal, but 2 or 3 hours a day over a month can add up to quite a few MB I would imagine). Is there any other configurations I need to make / do? I'm a novice at all this I don't need to configure the firewall (Zone Alarm) differently or anything like that? Does anyone know what the problem may be, why I can't always reconnect automatically? I can only assume it's a computer problem, as I've had this problem since replacing my computer a few months back. Previously I could disable and reconnect to the internet as easily as I can do now when manually configuring. Thanks!