Part 2 – Configure Static IP Addresses on the PCs
# **Part 2 – Configure Static IP Addresses on the PCs**
## **Objective**
In this lesson, you'll configure a static IP address on each computer so they can communicate on the network.
By the end of this lesson, all six PCs will have:
* ✅ IP Address
* ✅ Subnet Mask
* ✅ Default Gateway
---
# **Step 1: Open the First Computer**
## Where to do it
In the Packet Tracer workspace:
* Click **PC1**
* Click the **Desktop** tab
* Click **IP Configuration**
## What is IP Configuration?
IP Configuration is where you assign the network settings to a computer.
Think of it as giving the computer its identity on the network.
## Why do we need it?
Without an IP address, the computer cannot send or receive data on the network.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine a new employee joins a company. Before they can receive letters or parcels, they need an office number. An IP address works the same way—it identifies the computer so information can reach it.
## What should you see?
A window with fields for:
* IP Address
* Subnet Mask
* Default Gateway
* DNS Server
---
# **Step 2: Select Static**
## Where to do it
At the top of the IP Configuration window.
## What to do
Click **Static**.
## What is Static?
A Static IP Address is an IP address that you assign manually.
Unlike DHCP, it does not change unless you change it yourself.
## Why are we using Static?
For learning and small networks, static IP addresses make it easier to understand how devices communicate.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Think of owning a house.
Your house number stays the same for years.
A Static IP works the same way.
The computer always keeps the same address.
## What should you see?
The fields become editable.
---
# **Step 3: Configure PC1**
## Where to do it
Inside the IP Configuration window.
## What to do
Enter:
**IP Address**
```text
192.168.1.10
```
**Subnet Mask**
```text
255.255.255.0
```
**Default Gateway**
```text
192.168.1.1
```
## What is an IP Address?
An IP Address is a unique address used to identify a device on a network.
## Why do we need it?
Without an IP Address, the computer cannot communicate with other devices.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Your home has a street address.
When someone sends you a package, they use that address to find your house.
An IP Address is the computer's network address.
---
## What is a Subnet Mask?
A Subnet Mask tells the computer which devices are on the same local network and which are on different networks.
## Why do we need it?
It helps the computer decide whether to send data directly to another device or through the router.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine your neighborhood.
If your friend lives on the same street, you can walk to their house.
If they live in another city, you need to use a highway.
The subnet mask helps the computer make that decision.
---
## What is the Default Gateway?
The Default Gateway is the router that connects your local network to other networks.
## Why do we need it?
Whenever the computer wants to communicate outside its own network, it sends the data to the default gateway.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine your housing estate.
To leave the estate, every car passes through the main gate.
The Default Gateway is that main gate.
Every device uses it to reach another network.
---
## What should you see?
The IP Configuration window now shows:
* IP Address: **192.168.1.10**
* Subnet Mask: **255.255.255.0**
* Default Gateway: **192.168.1.1**
---
# **Step 4: Configure the Remaining PCs in Network A**
## What to do
Configure:
### PC2
IP Address
```text
192.168.1.11
```
Gateway
```text
192.168.1.1
```
---
### PC3
IP Address
```text
192.168.1.12
```
Gateway
```text
192.168.1.1
```
Use the same subnet mask:
```text
255.255.255.0
```
## Why are the IP addresses different?
Every computer on the same network must have its own unique IP address.
If two computers share the same IP address, the network won't know which one should receive the data.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine two houses on the same street with exactly the same house number.
The delivery driver wouldn't know which house to deliver the package to.
That's exactly what happens when two computers use the same IP address.
---
# **Step 5: Configure the PCs in Network B**
Configure:
### PC4
```text
IP Address: 192.168.2.10
Gateway: 192.168.2.1
```
### PC5
```text
IP Address: 192.168.2.11
Gateway: 192.168.2.1
```
### PC6
```text
IP Address: 192.168.2.12
Gateway: 192.168.2.1
```
Subnet Mask for all:
```text
255.255.255.0
```
## Why are we using **192.168.2.x** instead of **192.168.1.x**?
Because Network B is a completely different network.
Different networks need different network addresses.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Think of two different cities.
A house in Abuja and a house in Lagos can both have **House Number 10**, because they're in different cities.
Similarly:
* **192.168.1.10** belongs to Network A.
* **192.168.2.10** belongs to Network B.
The network part is different, so there is no conflict.
---
# **Step 6: Review Your Configuration**
## What to do
Check that:
* Every PC has an IP Address.
* Every PC has the correct Subnet Mask.
* Every PC has the correct Default Gateway.
* No two PCs on the same network share the same IP Address.
## Why is this important?
Incorrect IP settings are one of the most common reasons a network fails.
## 🌍 Real-Life Example
Imagine writing the wrong address on a package.
The courier may never reach the correct destination.
Computers behave the same way when IP settings are incorrect.
---
# **Part 2
Complete**
Your computers are now ready.
In **Part 3**, we'll configure the routers and explain:
* What the CLI is.
* What `enable` does.
* What `configure terminal` means.
* What an interface is.
* Why we assign IP addresses to router interfaces.
* Why `no shutdown` is required.
* How these steps relate to real networks.
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