If DeviceInstaller reported a subnet issue with your PC, it is because the PC’s IP address and the IP address you are trying to assign to your Lantronix device are on different subnets. DeviceInstaller only assigns IP addresses on the same subnet as the PC running DeviceInstaller.
For DeviceInstaller to successfully assign an IP address to your Lantronix device:
Your PC’s IP address and the address you want to assign to your Lantronix device must be on the same subnet.
No routers or gateways can exist between your PC and your Lantronix device. DeviceInstaller does not support assigning an IP address across a router or gateway.
To resolve this issue, configure your PC with a static IP address on the same subnet as the address you are assigning to your device. For information on configuring a static IP address in Windows, see the Windows help files. You can access Windows help files by clicking the Windows Start button and selecting Help. Search in Windows help for static IP address.
WARNING: Before you change the network settings on your PC, be sure to write them down so you can restore the settings after assigning an IP address to your device.
To understand why DeviceInstaller is failing and how to resolve this issue, you must have some general knowledge of TCP/IP and subnetting.
IP addresses are separated into network classes. Network classes are also known as subnet classes. The letters A, B and C denote the subnet/network classes. An IP address is made up of four octets, each separated by a decimal point, as shown below:
AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD
A’s = First Octet
B’s = Second Octet
C’s = Third Octet
D’s = Fourth Octet
To check your PC’s current IP configuration on Windows 2000 or XP:
Click Start --> Run.
At the Open prompt, type cmd. A command window opens.
At the command window, type ipconfig. Your Windows TCP/IP configuration displays.
To check your PC’s current IP configuration on Windows 98:
Click Start --> Run.
At the Open prompt, type command. A command window opens.
At the command window, type ipconfig. Your Windows TCP/IP configuration displays.
Class A networks use a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0. This subnet mask indicates that the first octet in each IP address on the network must be the same number. This allows network devices to communicate on the Local Area Network (LAN).
If your PC is on a class A network (meaning it’s using a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0), the first octet of your PC’s IP address and the first octet of the IP Address you are assigning to your Lantronix device must be the same number.
Your PC is configured with the IP and subnet mask below:
10.100.110.120 – IP Address
255.0.0.0 – Subnet Mask
Your Lantronix device must be assigned an IP that is:
10.xxx.xxx.xxx
where the x’s are an available IP address on the network.
Class B networks use a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. This subnet mask indicates the first and second octet in each IP address on the network must be the same. This allows network devices to communicate on the LAN.
If your PC is on a class B network (meaning it’s using a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0), the first and second octets of your PC’s IP address and the first and second octet of the IP address you are assigning to your Lantronix device must be the same numbers.
PC running DeviceInstaller is configured with the IP and subnet mask below:
172.16.224.55 – IP Address
255.255.0.0 – Subnet Mask
To successfully assign an IP address to a Lantronix device, the IP assigned must be:
172.16.xxx.xxx
where the x’s are an available IP address on the network.
Class C networks use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. This subnet mask indicates the first, second and third octet in each IP address on the network must be the same. This allows network devices to communicate on the LAN.
If your PC is on a class C network (meaning it is using a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0), the first, second and third octets of your PC’s IP address and the first, second, and third octets of the IP address you are assigning to your Lantronix device must be the same numbers.
A PC running DeviceInstaller is configured with the IP and subnet mask below:
192.168.12.155 – IP Address
255.255.255.0 – Subnet Mask
To successfully assign an IP address to a Lantronix device, the IP assigned must be:
192.168.12.xxx
where the X’s are an available IP address on the network.
Your PC is configured with a complex subnet mask if it is configured for a subnet mask other than three listed below:
255.0.0.0
255.255.0.0
255.255.255.0
In this case, we recommend you download a freeware TCP/IP subnet calculator. To locate a freeware subnet calculator, go to www.google.com and search for freeware subnet calculator. The subnet calculator will help ensure you assign a correct IP address to your Lantronix device.
See Also