Your IP Address

Don Bradbury summarizes the esoteric info you can access using Winipcfg

Windows versions 9.x (including ME) feature a little app called Winipcfg. While logged onto the Internet, click on Start and then Run and enter 'winipcfg' into the dialogue box (without the quotes). Then click OK, and click on the More tab.

Click on 'PPP Adapter' from the drop down list, possibly the second example of same in the list, and make a note of the figures recorded there. Next time you log onto the Internet, you may find some of the figures have changed.

What you see, ie the setup for that particular connection, depends on the dynamic allocation of addressing that most of us are subject to by our ISP (Internet Service Provider).

The address is a unique string of numbers that identifies your particular computer on the Internet. These numbers are usually shown in groups separated by full stops, eg: 172.189.249.86, and all resources on the Internet must have such an IP address allocated.

Each IP address consists of two parts, one identifying the network and one identifying the node. The Class of the address and the Subnet Mask that you'll see there determine which part belongs to the network address and which part belongs to the node address.

Just so you know, your current IP address and host name are shown below:

Why would you want to know your IP address, and why can it be desirable to fix it (that is, have a static IP address) if you have the option? Well, for one thing, a static IP address means you can, if you choose, use a server to gain access to your PC remotely, or you could run your own email system or web site.

Static IP addresses are also useful for applications like Netmeeting. If you can connect to a fixed IP directly then you don't need to go through a service provider such as the one Microsoft offers for Netmeeting users as others can then directly address your computer.

These services take care of the variation of IP address for you if you have a dialup connection. Speed gains are to be had, too, if the address is fixed. But always-on, broadband access like ADSL canpretty much give you a fixed address because, of course, you're not having to dialup for a new connection each time you use the Internet.

Beware, though, that most broadband providers vary your IP address so as to economize on a limited pool. Make enquires before you sign up. With some ISPs you can pay more for a fixed address. That might prove useful if you want other computers to regularly locate yours via the IP Address.

Don Bradbury