This how to tutorial covers finding your local IP address in windows xp and then setting your local IP static. This is useful when using port forwarding or running a server from your computer when you are behind a router.

Start with the start menu, click on run. In the run box type cmd and hit enter. This will open the windows command prompt window. Type in ipconfig hit return and you will see four lines that list your your IP Address (this is your local IP not your global IP). Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway (the address to your router). To view more information including your DNS address type in ipconfig /all and hit enter. This will return all the information you will need to set your static IP.

The left image displays ipconfig the right displays ipconfig /all

To set your static ip open up your control panel; locate and open network connections. In this window you will see local area connection, right click and open properties. This will open another dialog box. Locate and select to highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click properties.

When internet protocol (TCP/IP) Properties are open select the radio boxes that give you the option to input your own addresses. Run cmd and ipconfig /all like before and copy over the information exactly as it reads. You can set a different local IP by changing the last digits of 192.168.1.100 (your local IP). When you click ok and restart this will remain your local ip. All port forwarding will stay consistent.