IP Address Guide

Understanding how IP addresses work on your Pimeleon router network helps you troubleshoot connectivity issues and understand your network better.

Example IP Addresses

• Router address: Your router's address (how you access the admin panel)
• Your device: A unique address assigned automatically when you connect
• Other devices: Each connected device gets its own unique address

Your Network Addresses

Wired Network (LAN)

• Router Address: Gateway for wired devices
• Your Device Range: Automatically assigned from a pool of addresses
• Purpose: High-speed wired connections

Wireless Network (WiFi)

• Router Address: Gateway for wireless devices
• Your Device Range: Automatically assigned from a pool of addresses
• Purpose: Wireless mobile devices

Note: Don't worry about remembering these - your device gets configured automatically!

How Automatic IP Assignment Works (DHCP)

When you connect a device to the network:

1. You connect: Plug in Ethernet or join WiFi
2. Device requests address: Your device asks "Can I have an IP address?"
3. Router assigns address: Pimeleon router gives your device a unique address
4. You're online: Your device can now access the internet and network services

This happens in seconds and requires zero configuration from you.

Lease Time

Your IP address is "leased" to your device for a period of time:

• Default lease: 30 minutes
• Maximum lease: 7 days

What this means: Your device can keep its IP address for up to 7 days. After that, it might get a different IP address when it reconnects. For most users, this doesn't matter at all.

Static vs Dynamic Addresses

Dynamic Addresses (Most Devices)

• How it works: Automatically assigned from a pool
• Pro: Zero configuration needed
• Con: Address might change occasionally
• Best for: Smartphones, laptops, tablets, most devices

Static Addresses (Special Devices)

Some devices always get the same IP address:

• Network servers: Like NAS (network storage) devices
• Printers: Makes finding them easier
• Smart home hubs: Ensures reliable connectivity

Note: If you need a static IP address for a device, contact your network administrator.

Network Capacity

How Many Devices Can Connect?

• Technical limit: ~300 addresses available
• Realistic limit: 100-130 devices work well
• Typical home: 10-30 devices is common

The Raspberry Pi 3B+ can handle typical home and small office networks comfortably.

Accessing Network Services

Finding Your Router

To access router admin features:

• From wired device: Use the wired network router address
• From wireless device: Use the wireless network router address
• Don't know which?: Check your device's network settings for "Gateway" or "Router"

Finding Other Devices

Most devices on your network can be accessed by:

• IP address: The numerical address
• Hostname: A friendly name (like "myprinter" or "nas")

The Pimeleon router's DNS service automatically registers hostnames for easy access.

Common Scenarios

All My Devices Work Except One

Problem: One device can't get online but others can

Possible Solutions:

1. Forget and rejoin network: Reset the WiFi connection
2. Restart the device: Turn it off and on
3. Check MAC address filtering: Your device might not be allowed (ask your admin)
4. Try the other network: If on WiFi, try wired (or vice versa)

I Can't Access Network Printer/NAS

Problem: Can't find network devices

Possible Solutions:

1. Try hostname instead of IP: Use "myprinter" instead of the IP address
2. Check both devices are on: Ensure both your computer and the target device are powered on
3. Verify network: Make sure both devices are on the same network (both wired or both wireless, or mixed - should all work)
4. Restart router: Sometimes a quick router restart resolves discovery issues

IP Address Conflict

Problem: Error message about duplicate IP address

Rare Scenario: This should never happen with DHCP, but if it does:

1. Restart your device: This will get a new IP address
2. Restart router: Clears all leases and starts fresh
3. Contact admin: Might indicate a configuration issue

Advanced: Understanding Your Connection

When you check your device's network settings, you'll see:

• IP Address: Your device's unique address
• Subnet Mask: Defines your network size (usually 255.255.255.0)
• Gateway: The router's address (where internet traffic goes)
• DNS Server: Usually the same as gateway (the router)

All of these are configured automatically - you don't need to change anything!

troubleshooting Tips

How to Find Your IP Address

Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type: ipconfig
3. Look for "IPv4 Address"

Mac:

1. System Preferences → Network
2. Select your connection
3. Your IP address is shown

Linux:

1. Open Terminal
2. Type: ip addr
3. Look for inet under your interface

iPhone/Android:

1. Settings → WiFi
2. Tap the (i) icon next to your network
3. Look for "IP Address"

Release and Renew IP Address

If you're having connectivity issues:

Windows:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Mac:

System Preferences → Network → Advanced → TCP/IP → Renew DHCP Lease

Linux:

sudo dhclient -r
sudo dhclient

Cross-Network Communication

Can WiFi devices talk to wired devices?

Yes! The Pimeleon router automatically handles this. You can:

• Access your wired NAS from your wireless laptop
• Print to a wired printer from your smartphone
• Stream to a wired smart TV from wireless devices

Everything just works - the router handles the communication between networks automatically.

Related Documentation

• Network Overview - Understanding your network architecture
• DHCP Service - How automatic configuration works
• DNS Service - How domain names work

Remember: For 99% of users, IP addresses are completely automatic. Just connect and go!