How To Configure Windows Networks to Work with and Switch Between Static ip and DHCP Network Automatically

Microsoft has come out with an Alternate Configuration functionality between two networks with Static IP and dynamic IP. It will detect the network switch automatically and will change the settings by its own, leaving you with no headache for manual configuration. This is a great utility for those who are more into mobile computing or use multiple networks with both DHCP and Static IP network and need to switch between them frequently.

To do that follow these steps

1. Click Start menu -> Control Panel.
2. Go to Network Connections
3. Right click Local Area Connection and select Properties
4. Under General tab, scroll down to see Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
5. Click on it and click Properties button
6. Under General tab, select Obtain an IP address automatically. This is mainly for the DHCP part of the network. When you are working under DHCP, it will acquire an IP address automatically (whatever your ISP provides at random)
7. Then go to Alternate Configuration tab, select User configured. Enter the static IP of your alternate location. This is for the later part i.e. Static IP network. Your network will first search for DHCP, if it gets none then will look for the Static IP address you are using.

So now while you are using DHCP its well and good, but once you switch to static IP network, it will automatically configure itself with static IP addresss. Isn’t it cool?

Have a good weekend.