I've just inherited a situation where 5 machines - peer to peer - have been happily using DSL with static IP addresses through an Alcatel ADSL1000. They have just added a sixth new machine, which, of course can connect to LAN but not use DSL. I called the DSL provider several times yesterday, who was no help in telling me if we only have 5 statics on our account and must purchase more or if/how I can configure the router to use DHCP. So, i see no reason why we need statics. Can anyone advise me what's the best way to go ahead and reconfigure the router for DHCP? And can I be safe in assuming the DHCP configuration will work with whatever type of account was purchased previously for the DSL? One more question: If I just split it via DHCP, won't I just be splitting ONE IP address and wasting the other four? Thanks for any help as soon as possible!

Get rid of all Static IP's but one. You didn't mention what type of router your using but I would recommend the Linksys BEFSR41. Configure the router and enable DHCP. Enable DHCP on all client computers. All your client computers will be hiding behind your router using that one static IP.

Thanks, Viper. I happen to have that model of router available and will bring it in today and do this! The ISP of course was no help whatsoever, just told me they can't support anything but the 5 static addresses. I still wonder if splitting the one IP through the router means we're all sharing just one bandwidth, and losing the bandwidth of the other four IP's we continue to pay for? I'd be curious to know! Thanks again!

I had the same exact situation before and i contacted Verizon and their answer was pretty much the same as yours! Anyway, this is what i did: There is usually one port in the hub (Usually the last port) for uplink. Use this port to connect it to your DSL modem. I didn't have to add DHCP to the network. I have 4 computers with static IP address. I just had to install the software and set up the DSL modem indvedually, then i hocked them all up after that to the hub and BINGO!! I had to switch the speed to 10Mbs though. Let me know how did it go Good luck.

Tom, I networked 3 of my computers to a Starband satellite modem. I used Winproxy (can't afford the router right now) on my main computer as the gateway/router for the other 2 and there is no noticable slow down with all 3 computers surfing at the same time. I also did the same thing using a BEFSR41 router to my brothers Starband with 2 computers on his connection with no slow down. Try just using that 1 IP for awhile before canceling those other 4 and see what happens.

Tom, I networked 3 of my computers to a Starband satellite modem. I used Winproxy (can't afford the router right now) on my main computer as the gateway/router for the other 2 and there is no noticable slow down with all 3 computers surfing at the same time. I also did the same thing using a BEFSR41 router to my brothers Starband with 2 computers on his connection with no slow down. Try just using that 1 IP for awhile before canceling those other 4 and see what happens.

The number of IP's has nothing to do with your bandwidth. It will remain the same. Having a static IP is very important in certain situations like hosting a web server or ftp server. Take note that something in their current situation my depend on a certain ip address and you'll have to change that acccordingly.