I use dial up connection .When I type ipconfig at command prompt I find 2 IP addresses for "0 ethernet adapter" and "1 ethernet adapter" respectively. One of them is in the "169.254.*.*" and the other is the IP assigned by the ISP can any 1 explain how is it possible to have 2 IP addresses when there is only a single network card ???
If You have a Ethernet (Local Network) and a Dial up Modem then you will have 2 IP addresses One IP that is used on the internet (the Dial up modem) and another that is used on your local network (If you have one).
169.254.*.* is an APIPA address which is assigned automatically when no DHCP server is found on the network and no address has been assigned manually. APIPA is designed as a 'zero configuration' networking service which allows basic communication with other APIPA assigned computers on the same subnet. However, you cannot browse the internet, nor communicate with other computers on a different subnet, or on the same subnet but not using an APIPA address.
thanks for the info ...Now I do have a fair idea abt APIPA but wat abt the IP assigned to the modem .I am still doubtful whether the modem has a network card .. To which which part in a modem is the IP assigned ???????
The Modem itself is effectively a network card, only you plug a phone line into it and it can dial phone numbers (it calls a phone line attached to a server at your ISP, so the phone line also acts a network cable).
I do got a bit of idea now that modem might act like a network card. But I wud be glad if any1 wud cud elaborate abt what is the process that is actually taking place and how is it acting as a network card
A Computer network is a group of individual computers that can communicate with each other. The hardware that lets them do this is often referred to as a network card, there are many types of 'network cards' and they can use many different types of medium (wires, radio waves, optical fiber etc). On most (but not all) networks you need an IP address to talk to the other computers on that network, so every computer on the network must have a IP address to be able to talk to the other computers. A modem is like a phone and a network card, the phone part dials the number that the computer tells it too (A phone number for your ISP), when the phone part of the modem that your calling answers the call the network card part part of both modems can talk to each other other the phone line and your ISP gives your computer a IP address to use so that it can talk to all the other computers on the internet.
do any1 have any idea as to what protocol is used to assigns the IP's to the modem by the server and if other any technical details if possible
You seem to be taking quite an interest in this... may i ask why? (any goals in mind?) It is most likely a DHCP server that assigns IP addresses on your ISP's network (remember the internet is just a BIG collection of individual networks joined together, hence the name internetwork)
No it is just out my own interest just 4 knowledge Can I have 1 more detail as to whether a modem If it possible can be used instead of a network card
In theory yes, there is no reason why you couldn't create a LAN using modems, but the main point would be why would you want too!!! It would be extremely slow (100MBit versus 56KBit), more expensive and most likely buggy... also i have no idea how you would connect more than 2 computers. You would be alot better off getting a load of £5 ethernet cards, it will save you time and money!
