Many Internet service providers often use dynamic IP addresses to assign their clients to their machines. But home users also want to use such settings, for example, to connect additional devices such as DVRs, webcams, etc. Setting the dynamic IP address at home is not particularly difficult. The following are some of the most common and popular techniques.
What is a dynamic IP address, and why is it needed?
Before considering the question of what the dynamic IP configuration is, you should understand what it is, in general.
Each computer or mobile device, when connected to the Network, for example, via a WiFi router or ADSL modem, usually receives the address automatically. If the provider binds the device through a DHCP server, this address is static, that is, unchanged.
In contrast to static addresses, the dynamic IP setting allows you to use one address for a certain period of time (connection) (session), after which it changes to another. Thus, using this type of address, you can avoid tracking computers or mobile devices via an Internet connection (although the external address of the transmitting device may remain constant). In addition, for the provider this opens up a wide field of activity, since its address space can be limited, and when setting a dynamic IP, it becomes possible to use free addresses for computers of other users.
Dynamic IP Setup: Prerequisites in Windows
But it was a theory. Now let's move on to practical actions. Setting up a dynamic IP at home begins with setting the network parameters of Windows.
The first step is to go to the network and sharing control section, which is located in the standard “Control Panel” (in Windows 10, in order not to waste time searching, it is better to call it from the “Run” console with the control command).
In the parameters of the selected network connection, you need to find the TCP / IPv4 protocol settings and go to the properties by pressing the corresponding button. In the new settings window, you need to make sure that obtaining IP and DNS addresses is set to automatic. Typically, these parameters are used by default, but it is better to check them so that there are no problems later.
Dynamic IP: router setup
Next, you need to change the settings of the router. First, let's see how this is done in TP-Link routers.
First, through any web browser, you need to enter the device’s interface by entering the router address in the browser line, which can be found on the nameplate located on the back of the device (usually it is 192.168.0.1, although for other devices the address 192.168.1.1 or whatever or else). After that, the username and password are registered, if any are provided (most often this is admin for both fields).
Next, the dynamic IP is configured in the WAN section, which is located in the main Network settings menu on the left. On the right side of the line, the WAN Connection Type is selected from the list as “Dynamic IP”.
After that, in the network settings, the MAC address cloning section (Mac Clone) is used, where cloning from the computer is selected. This is necessary for cases when the provider has a binding to a static IP, which was mentioned above. Some devices in this series do not have this feature, so you have to register the MAC address yourself.
You can recognize it through the menu of the active network connection (the icon in the system tray), which uses the information button. The addresses on the computer and on the router must match.
Finally, in the Wireless Settings on the router (Wireless Settings), you need to specify the following parameters:
- SSID - any network name;
- protection - WPA2-Personal;
- Encryption - AES or TKIP (optional, but most often the first type is used);
- access key - your own password, which is set to enter the network.
In principle, if you do not perform the initial setup, but only change the IP, the set values for the wireless connection can not be changed. Next, just save the settings and reboot the device.
In D-Link ADSL modems, the dynamic IP setting is practically the same. Again, in the type of connection, a dynamic IP is selected, the Internet port is installed, the value of the MTU parameter (usually 1500) is necessarily selected and, if required, the MAC address is set from the list or manually registered.
Configuring the DVR through dynamic IP is somewhat different from the generally accepted rules. In this case, you will first have to perform the so-called Port Forwarding, because when using DynDNS technology on the router, the registrar address must be converted to static. To simplify the work, you can use the UPnP function, which is usually available on any router. And one of the conditions is the release of port 80, which is used for these types of connections. But this is another conversation.
Common mistakes
As for the appearance of possible errors or failures when connecting via dynamic IP, in most cases they can occur simply because the user entered the MAC address incorrectly in the router settings when manually entering it. And sometimes some just forget to save the settings, after which the router must be rebooted without fail.
Use of additional services
Another fairly common technique for changing a static IP to a dynamic IP is to use special services like DynDNS, which are remote DNS servers.
In this case, the configuration is simplified quite strongly and is reduced only to selecting the appropriate service in the DDNS parameters and activating it by checking the checkbox next to the Enable item.
Conclusion
That, in fact, is all that relates to the basic parameters and settings of dynamic addresses. As you can see, this is quite simple. However, when setting the necessary parameters, you need to consider the type of router, check the network connection settings in the options of the operating system and, of course, correctly enter the data in the required fields.