Dynamic & static network connection on one PC

[benbino]

I have a laptop that needs a static IP address when it is connected to our internal network (locally or through VPN), and a dynamic IP address when it is outside of the network. Ideally I would have two network connections created in the network control panel, one for a static configuration and one for a dynamic, but XP won't let me because it thinks I've already configured my local connection.

What's the best way to set this laptop up?

 

[jsauce]

Windows XP comes with a function to add a secondary set of ip configuration. Basically you need to configure the first one to whatever you want it as and then try adding it to DHCP, which should trip the alternative configuration option. That will allow you to add the second ip information.

John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator

 

[bcastner]

You have some choices.

1. As member jsauce suggested, you can use the "Alternate Configuration" feature of TCP/IP:

2. A second choice is to use the native Netsh.exe utility to create a comprehensive set of TCP/IP atttributes for any setting, and restore them. This is completely batchable as a process.

Start, Run, CMD
netsh dump > c:\home.nsh

(Then when at the office)
Start, Run, CMD
netsh dump > c:\office.nsh

Your Home .cmd or .bat file would then read:

C:\>netsh -f c:\Home.nsh

or your Office .bat or .cmd file would read:

C:\>netsh -f c:\Home.nsh

3. There are some very good third-party utilities for this. Two I can recommend:

. NetSwitcher
http:\\

http://www.netswitcher.com

. Mobile NetSwitch

http://www.mobilenetswitch.com/