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!

simbr · 23-10-2005, 08:12

You can have problems with DHCP if your firewall is blocking things it shouldn't be, or is kicking in too early or too late during bootup.

Robbie · 23-10-2005, 11:26

I'm not really sure what you mean.

The problem I have is reconnecting to the internet when the computer is running, not when it is just after boot.

Or do you mean configuring the internet manually will cause a problem the next time I boot up?

Sorry, I'm a bit confused.

EDIT

Sorry, just reread what you wrote.

Sometimes my firewall blocks my IP address from contacting 194.168.4.100 - could this be a problem? I've got the free version of Zone Alarm, but then again I had this version with my old computer and never had a problem.

2nd EDIT(!)

Just checked with ZA - apparently this block is normal if it happens at boot as it stops the computer establishing an internet connection before ZA starts (?).

patrickp · 23-10-2005, 12:50

How do you "disable my internet connection," Robbie? I often use ZA to block all external connections or just my internet connection; it's always worked fine, from dialup through BB on an STB to BB on a SACM, and with and without a router.

What might be an idea if you are using ZA is to configure it to allow your DNS IPs to pass the internet lock. That way, they're not disconnected when you disable your connection and should continue working when you enable your connection again.

Robbie · 23-10-2005, 14:28

I disable by right clicking on the Local Area Connection icon in the system tool bar and choosing "disable". I never thought of using the ZA alternative option!

I've just tried that alternative option after reverting back to DHCP / automatic configuration and it works like I would like it to work. However, there is some residual data transfer taking place though, data is still being transferred downstream, when that option is used, about 50kb in the past minute. That would still add up over the month and does't really solve the problem...

"What might be an idea if you are using ZA is to configure it to allow your DNS IPs to pass the internet lock. That way, they're not disconnected when you disable your connection and should continue working when you enable your connection again."

Does this mean adding the DNS IPs to the Internet Zone? The free version of ZA only allows IPs to be added to the Trusted Zone. Would that work?

Thanks

patrickp · 23-10-2005, 14:38

Sorry, didn't know you were using the free version. I can set IPs up to pass even when the lock's on.

There are two locks, even on ZA Free. One's Engage Internet Lock and, IIRC stops internet traffic; the other's Stop All Internet Activity and should stop everything.

Robbie · 23-10-2005, 15:30

thanks for the advice.

I think using the the "Stop All Internet Activity" is probably the easiest thing for me to use. Clicking that also activates the internet lock automatically (the red lock appears in the system tray) It seems strange though, netmeter is still showing a small amount of data transfer (download) - that 50kb or so per minute I mentioned. It's better than disabling the internet connection via the other method though, and it measn I don't have to restart the computer, which is a pain if I'm in the middle of doing something else as it means saving work etc.

I wonder if anyone still has any thoughts on whether manually configuring is OK. Disabling then means no data transfers at all and no computer restart when I have to reconnect.
__________________

ah, I've found a dialogue box in the free version of ZA which seems to have (hopefully) solved the problem. There's an advanced option in the Firewall -> Internet and Trusted Zone area of ZA. Clicking on that brings up Advanced Settings - there's an option to click to "Allow Outgoing DNS/DHCP In Internet Zone on High setting" there's also a similar option for the trusted zone, clicking on the one for the Internet Zone clicks both.

This stops the problem I had of the log showing the firewall blocking an attempt to access 194.168.4.100 when I attempted to reconnect. I assume this is needed to establish a network address or whatever?

Chrysalis · 23-10-2005, 15:38

I think short answer no, you can manually specify dns but if the dhcp server isnt registering you as online then you not gonna be able to access the net anyway.

patrickp · 23-10-2005, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie

ah, I've found a dialogue box in the free version of ZA which seems to have (hopefully) solved the problem. There's an advanced option in the Firewall -> Internet and Trusted Zone area of ZA. Clicking on that brings up Advanced Settings - there's an option to click to "Allow Outgoing DNS/DHCP In Internet Zone on High setting" there's also a similar option for the trusted zone, clicking on the one for the Internet Zone clicks both.

This stops the problem I had of the log showing the firewall blocking an attempt to access 194.168.4.100 when I attempted to reconnect. I assume this is needed to establish a network address or whatever?

Yes, 194.168.4.100 and 194.168.8.100 are the ntl DNS servers, Robbie.