IPCONFIG

Overview

Describes how to use IPCONFIG, a Windows/DOS program used to obtain networking information and settings for the computer running the application.
It is not usable on MAC/OS systems. For information on how obtain network information and settings on the MAC operating system, see the OS - Mac Reference Guide.

Procedures 

1. To use IPCONFIG, click START, click RUN, then enter CMD or Command, then click OK. A command prompt opens.
2. Enter IPCONFIG. You will see something like this displayed:
   
    or
   
   Note: To run the IPCONFIG command on a Windows 98 machine, you must type Command at the run prompt and you will only see the IP address.
   
   Also, the Release and Renew functions do not work on this operating system.
     A window similar to the following is displayed:
   
   
   

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection or Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
This heading will show what types of network work connections that are active on the computer and the state of that connection.

• Ethernet Adapter Wireless Network Connection indicates a wireless based network connection.
• Ethernet Adapter Local Area connection indicates an Ethernet based network connection.

Connection-specific DNS Suffix
The DNS name of the DNS server currently being used to resolve hostnames.
IP Address
The current IP address of the computer's network interface card.
Default Gateway
The Default Gateway is the IP address of the customer's router or ISP. Computers will send their internet request to the Default Gateway address listed in this field.
Subnet Mask
The Subnet Mask indicates the IP addresses that are within its network or are outside the network. To communicate with an IP outside of its network, the information is sent to the Default gateway so it can be sent to its destination.
Media State... Media disconnected
This message will only be displayed if the network interface is disconnected.

 Additional Information from IPCONFIG 

To get more detailed network information, along with the basic network information stated above, you can use ipconfig /all command.


Host name
This is the network name of the computer.
Physical Address (This is also the Ethernet Address or MAC Address
The Physical Address is the unique identifier for a computer on a network. This is the address that is used for communication on the LAN.

Note: If the ISP does MAC Address registration, use IPCONFIG to obtain the MAC Address of the computer so it can be cloned on the router.
DHCP Enabled
The Subnet Mask is used by the computer to ;indicate what IP addresses are within its network or are outside the network. To communicate with an IP outside of its network, the information is sent to the Default gateway so it can be sent to its destination.
DNS Servers
This message is only displayed if the network interface is disconnected.

 More Uses of IPCONFIG 

• Release the old IP Address:
  Enter ipconfig /release at the command prompt. You will then see all 0's where the IP address used to be. (The Release and Renew functions do not work on computers running Windows 98 and ME operating systems.)
  
  Note: This is only used when the customer is using a DHCP server to obtain their IP address. If the customer is using Static IP on their computer, then this will not work.
   
• Renew the IP address:
  
  Enter ipconfig /renew at the command prompt. This will force the computer to attempt to pull an IP address from the networking device it is currently connected to, either via Ethernet cable or wirelessly.
  
  Note: This is only used when the customer is using a DHCP server to obtain their IP address; if customer is using Static IP on their computer, then this will not work.