Friday, March 25, 2011

Windows 7: Alternate IP Address Configuration

Laptop computers often have to connect to multiple network (e.g. home, office, retail, etc.). In the past If one of the networks required a static IP address, while the other networks assigned addresses via DHCP you had to manually change the TCP/IP properties every time you switched networks. Since Windows Vista, you now have the ability to setup an alternate IP address configuration.

  • In the Start menu search field, type Network Connections and select View network connections.
  • In the Network Connections window, right-click a connection that needs an alternate IP address configuration (e.g., Local Area Connection) and select Properties.
  • In the Properties dialog box, on the Networking tab, scroll down and click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP v4) and press the Properties button.
  • In the General tab, enter the information for the main network you use (such as a static IP, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS server information).
  • Click the Alternate Configuration tab, then click Automatic Private IP Address so the computer will obtain an IP address via DHCP.
  • Press OK button twice to close the dialog boxes.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Only one problem...unless you have a workaround:

The Advanced Tab in TCP/IPv4 Properties is only available if the General Tab settings are to automatic configuration.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional.

Anonymous said...

Also it doesn't work. At least on my Windows 7 computer, it still sets an "automatic private ip" even when the alternate configuration is configured.

Anonymous said...

Also, "Automatic Private IP" does not mean: get address from DHCP. Please someone check if windows actually works the way you describe before telling people that's how it works.

Anonymous said...

Actually if automatic is set the Ip gets determined by the router that you connect to. So Dhcp is actually the correct term for it I believe

Dualipuff said...

The Alternate Configuration settings will in fact work, however, it takes up to two minutes for it to kick in.

I use static IP addressing in the home, while I use DHCP at the office.

There may also be an issue where IPv6 may need to be enabled for it to work correctly.

Regardless, waiting two minutes after restarting my machine before being able to connect to the network is simply unacceptable and am working for 3rd party workarounds.

Unknown said...

A netmask calculator is basically a script or a program that automatically calculates the netmask numbers for you.If you want more information about ip address calculator and you can get from this site ip address.

edis said...

I recall setting DHCP in General tab, and static IP in Alternate - that way you may not need 2 min. wait to connect.

Rich said...

Dualipuff - did you find a good alternate? I have the same issue. It is annoying. I find that if I go into the configuration, that much alone sometimes triggers it to grab the alternate. But that's still unacceptable.