Windows 7: TCP/IP configuration

NOTE: This document includes 2 sections (listed below).

• DHCP (Automatic IP address) setup
• Static IP address setup

DHCP (Automatic IP address) Setup

By default, Windows 7 is configured as a DHCP client. However, if Windows 7 has been configured with a static (manually configured) IP address, and if the computer needs to receive an IP address automatically, then Windows 7 will need to be reconfigured as a DHCP client.

1. Click the Start (Windows logo) button on the bottom left side of the screen.
2. Click on Control Panel.
   
   
    
3. Click on Network and Internet.
   
   
    
4. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
   
   
    
5. Underneath the View your active networks section, find the network that includes Local Area Connection (as shown below).
   
   
    
6. Click on Local Area Connection.
7. Click the Properties button.
   
   
    
8. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Make sure that the checkbox to the left is checked.
9. Click on Properties.
   
   
    
10. Select Obtain an IP address automatically.
11. Select Obtain DNS server address automatically.
12. Click the OK button. This will take us back to the Local Area Connection Properties box.
    
    
     
13. Click the Close button on the bottom of the Local Area Connection Properties box.
    
    
     

Static IP address Setup

The instructions below will show how to manually configure the following settings:

• IP Address
• Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway
• Preferred DNS address / server
• Alternate DNS address / server

1. Click the Start (Windows logo) button on the bottom left side of the screen. 
2. Click on Control Panel.
   
   
    
3. Click on Network and Internet.
   
   
    
4. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
   
   
    
5. Underneath the View your active networks section, find the network that includes Local Area Connection (as shown below).
   
   
    
6. Click on Local Area Connection.
7. Click the Properties button.
   
   
    
8. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Make sure that the checkbox to the left is checked.
9. Click on Properties.
   
   
    
10. Select Use the Following IP address.
11. For IP Address, enter the IP address of choice.
12. For Subnet Mask, enter the subnet mask of choice.
13. For Default Gateway, enter the default gateway of choice.
    
    NOTE: If the correct default gateway is not entered into this setting, the computer will not be able to access the Internet. Also, this computer will not be remotely accessible if remote access to the computer is needed.
     
14. Select Obtain DNS server address automatically.
15. For Preferred DNS Server, enter the address of the primary DNS server. If there is only one DNS server address, enter that address here.
16. For Alternate DNS Server, enter the address of the secondary DNS server. If there is no secondary DNS server, then leave this setting blank.
17. Click the OK button. This will take us back to the Local Area Connection Properties box.
    
    
     
18. Click the OK button on the bottom of the Local Area Connection Properties box.