IP Address change?

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by MacUser

Yes, most people are scared of change, although switching is easier than most people think.

On a sort of related question, how can I *avoid* changing my IP address with an Ethernet broadband modem?

You can plug it into a router, that will mean you have a device permanently connected to that IP that releases and renews as appropriate. Unless the ISP changes its IP allocations it should keep your IP address (eg an NTL UBR rebalance).

Or switch to an ISP that provides static IP.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by MacUser

On a sort of related question, how can I *avoid* changing my IP address with an Ethernet broadband modem?

You can't. NTL don't do Static IPs for residential customers. Having said that, my IP hasn't changed in over a year

[MacUser]

Thanks, I understand routers but my Mum has a modem right now. I might change it later. Does the modem remain connected or will it time-out and disconnect (or is that down to the computer?)

Just for clarification, I'm doing a 300m mile round trip to connect her Mac Mini tomorrow. I can access it remotely from my home, using VNC, provided the IP address doesn't change. (Yes, I know she can tell me the IP address, in theory, but she's 75).

[handyman]

Originally Posted by MacUser

Thanks, I understand routers but my Mum has a modem right now. I might change it later. Does the modem remain connected or will it time-out and disconnect (or is that down to the computer?)

Just for clarification, I'm doing a 300m mile round trip to connect her Mac Mini tomorrow. I can access it remotely from my home, using VNC, provided the IP address doesn't change. (Yes, I know she can tell me the IP address, in theory, but she's 75).

set up www.no-ip.com for the mac they have a program that updates a virtual domain name. ie www.mydomain.no-ip.com translates to her ip coz the program updates it.

Then you dont have to get her to tell you the ip if it changes..

Originally Posted by MacUser

On a sort of related question, how can I *avoid* changing my IP address with an Ethernet broadband modem?

BTW the answer to the original poster is to use an Apple Mac. All the problems of spyware, viruses and hacks will disappear.

The other thing to dissapear will be the ability to use all of their games they have ;-)

[rdhw]

Originally Posted by MacUser

Thanks, I understand routers but my Mum has a modem right now. I might change it later.

No, you can't change it: you are only allowed to use the cable modem supplied by NTL. Any router you require must be a separate device. There are no combined modem-routers available on NTL broadband.

Does the modem remain connected or will it time-out and disconnect (or is that down to the computer?)

The internet connection is 24/7 for as long as the PC remains powered up and not in standby.

I can access it remotely from my home, using VNC, provided the IP address doesn't change.

You should look for a Dynamic DNS service that supports Mac clients, so that you can refer to her Mac by a DNS name rather than an IP address. Every time she comes online, the Dynamic DNS client program will update her DNS name to match her IP address, whether it has changed or not.