|
Networking
IP Address
TCP/IP is an acronym for Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. It is the language of the Internet (big I), but it can also be used on an intranet (little i - also known as your network).
Why do you need to know this?
The Short Answer
Because your are working with Windows, and Windows uses TCP/IP to communicate.
The Long Answer
Think of TCP/IP as the postal service for your network. If Bob in Boston wants to write a letter to Sue in St. Louis, simply writing Sue on the envelope doesn't get it to her. But if Bob writes Sue Jones, 123 Main St., St. Louis, MO the letter arrives without any problems. The post office can locate her because the address is specific.
Similarly, when information is sent from one device to another across the network, both must have a specific address. This ensures that the sending gadget knows where to send to, and the receiving one knows where the message came from. This is called the IP Address, and it must be unique for each device on the network. A bit like the 123 Main St. portion of Sue's address.
The second part of the TCP/IP setup on a computer is the Subnet Mask (sometimes just called the Subnet). This is not unique for every computer. Each workstation is in the same subnet; like the St. Louis, MO portion of Sue's address. The Subnet is NOT the same thing as a workgroup (see Naming Standards). There can be many workgroups in the same subnet; just like there are many neighborhoods within St Louis.
The Rules
There are two rules for IP addresses:
 The Subnet Mask must be the same for every workstation.
Only the node number portion is unique for each workstation (node).
| Range (for a single subnet) |
Node Number Portion |
Default Subnet Mask |
Class |
Network Number Portion |
Sample Address for a computer on a single network segment |
| 10.0.0.0 through 10.255.255.255 |
0.0.0 |
255.0.0.0 |
A |
10 |
10.0.0.1 through 10.255.255.254 |
| 172.16.0.0 through 172.16.255.255 |
0.0 |
255.255.0.0 |
B |
172.16 |
172.16.0.1 through 172.16.255.254 |
| 192.168.0.0 through 192.168.0.255 |
0 |
255.255.255.0 |
C |
192.168.0 |
192.168.0.1 through 192.168.0.254 |
| 192.168.1.0 through 192.168.1.255 |
0 |
255.255.255.0 |
C |
192.168.1 |
192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.254 |
Most peer netowrks can use the Class C section to meet its needs (maximum of 254 nodes or devices).
So what is this chart trying to tell you? Every device needs a unique IP Address (remember Bob and Sue). IP addresses use 4 sets of numbers (separated by a dot); only the last set of numbers changes to make the address unique. If you have 3 computers in your network what addresses should you use? Try this:
| Workstation Name |
IP Address |
Subnet Mask |
| WsOne |
192.168.1.1 |
255.255.255.0 |
| WsTwo |
192.168.1.2 |
255.255.255.0 |
| WsThree |
192.168.1.3 |
255.255.255.0 |
Why these settings?
The suggested small network IP Address range is 192.168.1.x.
That range uses a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
The last set of numbers in the IP Address relates to the workstation name (not required, but it makes keeping track of things easier).
Configuring IP
A Windows computer with a NIC installed will autoamtically load the "Client for Microsoft Networks". This program loads the TCP/IP protocol that is the language the computer uses to communicate. During the initial setup the Windows will prompt you to enter the IP Address. If you need to change the address at a later time follow these steps.
- Double-click on My Computer and open the Control Panel.
- Double-click on the Netwok icon to open the Network Configuration window.
- Highlight the TCP/IP protocol for the NIC.
- Click on the Properties button.
- If the "Obtain an IP Address automatically" option is selected, change this to "Specify and IP Address" and enter the new address in the field.
- Click on OK.
- The computer will reboot.
|
