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Is there any benefit to setting my own IP address on my little LAN vs. obtain automatically?

I have a little Wired and Wireless LAN at home. I have cable internet, and the cable modem goes to a Wireless Router (LinkSys) The Router has 4 plugs in the back for Ethernet cables and of course the wireless antenae. I use 2 desktops that are directly connected to the router via Ethernet, and one Laptop that connects wirelessly.
Me and my wife are the only users.
I like to share everything between the computers and between the two users on each computer.

My question is about in the Network Connections window. I right-click on the Ethernet Adapter (on the desktops) and the Wireless Adapter (on the laptop) I choose Properties, then General tab, then TCP/IP out of the list, then Properties. There, I only see the General tab, now, I see Obtain IP Address Automatically is selected (I assume this is as per my installation of Windows XP when I was asked about Internet Connection and chose LAN and Left this settings in) But I want to know if there is any benefit to setting this option to "Use the Followin IP address" and the same for the "Use the Following DNS server addresses"

Now, please don't get too technical, I'm not a network expert. I Use the LAN basically to pass files between the computers, and share internet access (downloads, P2P, surfing, and email) I would obviously like the fastest settings, and security is a plus. I just don't know what the difference if any there would be.

thanks
David

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Naser Gabaj

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Keith Alabaster

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Keith Alabaster

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masnrock

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davidgareau

ASKER

Thanks guys, my reason for asking this, is because while I was setting up Shareaza they had a walk through, that said you had to set your IPs to fixed, and enable port forwarding on the Router.

I had Automatic before, and no portforwarding, and I could still share files no problem.
I changed both, hoping to get better file sharing speed, but it seems to have changed nothing speed wise, now I'm confused as to why the Shareaza guide said I had to set it up...

And I'm wondering if I should set it back to like it was before, because at least the port forwarding sounds like it would only be another hole.

The DHCP is another way to say when I select that my IP and DNS servers are automatically set? Is there an acronym for when they're fixed?

I can see a benefit if some programs expect a fixed IP internally on my LAN, also the not having to look up improving speed makes sense, and lastly the problem with Comcast too... what's the benefit of Automatically Assigning IPs to my internal network if there are these 3 benefits to Specifing the IPs & DNS?

thanks
david

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masnrock

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Keith Alabaster

I think you will find the reference that they are alluding to is a static IP address on the outside of your routre/cable modem rather than your work stations. The fact that it is already working means you must be alreading performing any necessary forwarding.

davidgareau

ASKER

Hey guys, I'm sorry for the unacceptable delay in answering this thread, I've had to change jobs and this has taken all of my time this past month.

Thanks for the info and ideas.

david

Keith Alabaster

Thanx david