Road Runner question

[sh90374]

Hi all,
i know that RR doesn't give you static IP address. but is it right that once assigned, your IP won't change unless you reboot the system? or does it update your IP periodically regardless? thanks in advance for you help.

[solo-pc-tech]

Good question.
I have RoadRunner and Windows 2000. Just checked the Event Log. Windows NT used to include IP leasing information in the Event Log. Win2k doesn't. Maybe it has that info somewhere else. But I do know that sometimes when I've booted up with the hub turned off, Win2K will display DHCP messages and give me an option of seeing further DHCP messages. If I click yes, then power on the hub, I will get a message that DHCP successfully leased an IP address with the start and ending time of the lease and it is always 12 hours.

You can always run ipconfig from a command prompt to release and renew an IP address.
Ipconfig works better than winipcfg.

[n715dp]

I used to work for Road Runner here in Tampa, FL (where the first cable access was available in the country) and here is how it works...


Your modem has a serial number (MAC address). That number requests an IP from RR and receives one witha lease of 48 hours. This means that as long as your modem is not off the network (meaning turned off) for more then 48 hours you will get the same IP everytime you turn it on. Now, most people leave their modem on all the time, and this is best because (obviously) the modem never loses it's lease. Also, there is a second lease, as done with the MAC address of your network card, it really depends on where you live as to whether the lease of Windows or the lease of your Modem is used. The majority of RR customers have modem leases, not Windows leases, so just make sure you leave your modem on all the time.

A small side note: Here in Tampa we did what we called "bounce the DHCP servers." What this did, was clear all of the IP's give out on the routers in Tampa, essentially taking everyone off line, and all leases we then new. The catch was, we rotated the banks of IP's. Basically what this did was, Modem "A" on Router "123" was using IP xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx ---> after "bouncing" what would happen is Modem "A" on router "123" leases IP yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy.

I know this sounds a little wierd, read it a couple of times and you will get it. What this "bouncing" did, was two fold, 1) it was a security measure to keep a hacker from exploiting a hol he had found on modem "A" and 2) kept the customers from having a static IP.

This was usually done only about once every six months so it is not an every week thing. Some areas, such as Austin, TX don't even do it.

[sh90374]

thanks all..i've been thinking of getting RR for my webserver. so it's pretty encouraging that they don't often renew my IP when my modem/system is on. i live in Orlando. thanks again.

[bhess]

Good info n715dp. I've had RR since the beginning. Soon I'm moving and will lose it. Got any connections there still that can get it installed on gunn hwy? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[drugdoc]

I have lived in Tampa for several years and will be moving to Rochester, MN. I believe they have cable service up there, but was wondering if there is anyone living up there that would know more...

Reliability, price, speed, etc.

Thanks,

Rob

[n715dp]

Gunn Hwy!!!! I live on Sheldon Road, right down by Hillsborough... small world.

[n715dp]

sh90374,

If you are in Orlando then you should have a Docsis modem which is the kind I explained where the Modem leases the IP... there is actually quite a bit more to it but that is as simple as I could explain it. Also, if you would like to run a web server at your home, I would suggest, rather than getting a second RR line, getting a Linksys Cable/DSL Router and split the connection you have now... trust me, it works just as well... having a second modem does you no good as you still have only one signal coming into your home/apt. It would be a total waste.

[sh90374]

no no n715dp, i'm currently using netzero (56k). i don't have RR yet...plan on getting one line though. thanks..