How to Tell if you Have a Static or Dynamic IP Address

The Internet Protocol (abbreviated as IP) address is a numeric value typically presented in the dot-decimal format (for example, 191.25.1.251) that identifies each website or computer in the Internet. A static IP address, once assigned to a computer, remains fixed and never changes. If a computer is configured to use the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) you automatically get a dynamic IP address each time you log into the network. If you plan to set up a web or email server make sure the computer has the static IP address.


Instructions

1. Click "Start" in Windows and then on "Control Panel."
2. Click on "Network and Internet" in the Control Panel and choose the option "Network and Sharing Center."
3. Click on the task "Manage network connections."
4. Right-click on the connection icon (for example, a wireless or broadband connection) and choose "Properties" in the context menu.
5. Select the tab "Networking" in the connection properties window.
6. Select the item "Internet Protocol Version 4" and then click on the button "Properties."
7. Check which of the following radio buttons are selected."Obtain an IP address automatically" or "Use the following IP address" (that is explicitly specified in the field "IP address" below the radio button). The first radio button is for a dynamic IP address; the second, a static.