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Static IP Address Setup

ProPay WEB requires a static IP address so clients can reliably connect to your server from the internet. This guide explains how to obtain and configure static IP addresses for your ProPay WEB server.

Understanding Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses

Dynamic IP Addresses

Most internet users have dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Your ISP assigns a different address each time you restart your router or when your lease expires. Dynamic addresses work fine for browsing the web but not for hosting a web server.

Static IP Addresses

A static IP address remains the same permanently. This allows:

  • Clients to always find your server at the same address
  • Domain names to point to your server reliably
  • Consistent remote access
  • Proper server operation

> Important: Your ISP must assign you a static IP address. You cannot create one yourself.

Before You Begin

Contact your ISP to:

  1. Confirm they offer static IP addresses
  2. Verify your service plan includes or can be upgraded to include static IP
  3. Obtain the cost and lead time for static IP provisioning
  4. Request the following information once assigned:
    • Static IP address (e.g., 208.57.66.39)
    • Subnet mask (e.g., 255.255.255.0)
    • Default gateway (e.g., 208.57.66.1)
    • DNS server addresses (primary and secondary)

    Determining Your Current IP Address

    To check your current IP address:

    Method 1: Online Tools

    1. Open a web browser
    2. Visit https://whatismyip.com
    3. Note the IP address displayed

    Method 2: Command Prompt

    1. Open Command Prompt
    2. Type `ipconfig` and press Enter
    3. Look for IPv4 Address under your active network adapter

    Method 3: Router Interface

    1. Access your router's configuration page
    2. Look for WAN or Internet Status section
    3. Note the public IP address displayed

    > Note: If your IP address changes after restarting your router, you have a dynamic IP address and must upgrade to static IP service.

    Configuration Scenarios

    Choose the scenario that matches your network setup:

    Scenario A: Server Directly Connected to Internet

    Your server connects directly to your ISP's modem without a router between them.

    Scenario B: Server Behind a Router

    Your server is part of a local network protected by a router/firewall. This is the most common scenario for business networks.

    Scenario A: Direct Internet Connection

    If your server connects directly to the internet modem:

    Configure Windows Network Settings

    1. Open Control Panel
    2. Click Network and Sharing Center
    3. Click Change adapter settings (left sidebar)
    4. Right-click your network connection and select Properties
    5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
    6. Click Properties
    7. Select Use the following IP address
    8. Enter your ISP-provided information:
      • IP address: Enter the static IP from your ISP
      • Subnet mask: Enter the subnet mask from your ISP
      • Default gateway: Enter the gateway from your ISP
      1. Select Use the following DNS server addresses
      2. Enter DNS information from your ISP:
        • Preferred DNS server: Primary DNS from ISP
        • Alternate DNS server: Secondary DNS from ISP
        1. Click OK
        2. Click Close

        Verify Configuration

        1. Open Command Prompt
        2. Type `ipconfig` and press Enter
        3. Verify your settings match what you entered
        4. Type `ping 8.8.8.8` to test internet connectivity
        5. Type `nslookup google.com` to test DNS resolution

        If both tests succeed, your configuration is correct.

        Scenario B: Server Behind a Router (Recommended)

        When your server is behind a router, you configure two separate IP addresses:

        1. External static IP - Assigned to the router by your ISP (public-facing)
        2. Internal static IP - Assigned to your server on the local network (private)

        Step 1: Configure Router's External Static IP

        1. Access your router's configuration interface (see below)
        2. Go to WAN or Internet settings
        3. Change connection type from Automatic (DHCP) to Static IP
        4. Enter ISP-provided information:
          • IP Address: Static IP from ISP
          • Subnet Mask: From ISP
          • Default Gateway: From ISP
          • Primary DNS: From ISP
          • Secondary DNS: From ISP
          1. Save settings
          2. Restart router if required

          Step 2: Choose Internal Static IP for Server

          Your router assigns local IP addresses to network devices. Choose an address outside the router's DHCP range.

          Common Router IP Ranges:

          • Router at 192.168.1.1 - Use 192.168.1.2 through 192.168.1.99
          • Router at 192.168.0.1 - Use 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.99
          • Router at 10.0.0.1 - Use 10.0.0.2 through 10.0.0.99

          Check Router's DHCP Range:

          1. Access router configuration
          2. Find DHCP settings
          3. Note the DHCP range (e.g., 192.168.1.100-192.168.1.254)
          4. Choose an IP address outside this range (e.g., 192.168.1.2)

          Step 3: Assign Internal Static IP to Server

          1. On the server, open Control Panel
          2. Click Network and Sharing Center
          3. Click Change adapter settings
          4. Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties
          5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
          6. Click Properties
          7. Select Use the following IP address
          8. Enter your chosen internal address:
            • IP address: Your chosen IP (e.g., 192.168.1.2)
            • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
            • Default gateway: Router's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
            1. Select Use the following DNS server addresses
            2. Enter DNS servers:
              • Preferred: Router's IP or ISP's primary DNS
              • Alternate: ISP's secondary DNS
              1. Click OK
              2. Click Close

              Step 4: Reserve IP Address in Router (Optional but Recommended)

              To prevent the router from assigning your server's IP to another device:

              1. Access router configuration
              2. Find DHCP Reservation or Address Reservation section
              3. Add a reservation:
                • Device Name: ProPay Server
                • MAC Address: Server's MAC address (from ipconfig /all)
                • Reserved IP: Your chosen IP (e.g., 192.168.1.2)
                1. Save settings

                Accessing Your Router Configuration

                To configure your router settings:

                Find Router IP Address

                1. Open Command Prompt
                2. Type `ipconfig` and press Enter
                3. Find Default Gateway (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
                4. This is your router's IP address

                Access Router Interface

                1. Open a web browser
                2. Enter router's IP address in address bar (e.g., http://192.168.1.1)
                3. Press Enter
                4. Enter username and password when prompted

                Default Router Credentials:

                • Linksys: admin / admin or admin / (blank)
                • Netgear: admin / password
                • Cisco: admin / admin
                • D-Link: admin / (blank)

                > Note: If you don't know the router password, check the label on the router, consult the manual, or contact your IT administrator.

                Configure Port Forwarding

                After assigning static IPs, configure port forwarding so external clients can reach your server:

                1. Access router configuration interface
                2. Find Port Forwarding, Virtual Server, or Applications & Gaming section
                3. Add a new rule:
                  • Application/Service Name: ProPay WEB
                  • External Port (Start): 80
                  • External Port (End): 80
                  • Internal IP Address: Server's internal static IP (e.g., 192.168.1.2)
                  • Internal Port (Start): 80
                  • Internal Port (End): 80
                  • Protocol: TCP
                  1. Enable the rule
                  2. Save settings

                  For HTTPS/SSL, add another rule for port 443 following the same steps.

                  Verifying Your Configuration

                  Test your configuration at three levels:

                  Test 1: Local Server Access

                  1. On the server, open a web browser
                  2. Go to `http://localhost`
                  3. You should see the IIS welcome page or your ProPay WEB login page

                  If this fails: Check IIS installation and Windows Firewall settings.

                  Test 2: Internal Network Access

                  1. On another computer on your network, open a web browser
                  2. Go to `http://[server-internal-ip]` (e.g., http://192.168.1.2)
                  3. You should see the same page as Test 1

                  If this fails: Check server's static IP configuration and Windows Firewall.

                  Test 3: External Internet Access

                  1. On a computer outside your network (or using mobile data), open a web browser
                  2. Go to `http://[external-static-ip]` (e.g., http://208.57.66.39)
                  3. You should see your ProPay WEB login page

                  If this fails: Check router port forwarding, external static IP configuration, and ISP firewall settings.

                  Common Issues and Solutions

                  Cannot Access Router

                  Problem: Browser shows "Cannot connect" when accessing router IP.

                  Solutions:

                  • Verify you're using the correct router IP (check default gateway)
                  • Ensure you're on the same network as the router
                  • Try a different web browser
                  • Power cycle the router
                  • Reset router to factory defaults (last resort)

                  IP Address Conflict

                  Problem: Windows shows "IP address conflict" error.

                  Solutions:

                  • Choose a different IP address outside DHCP range
                  • Create DHCP reservation for your chosen IP
                  • Verify no other device is using the IP address
                  • Restart the server

                  Cannot Access from Internet

                  Problem: External access test fails.

                  Solutions:

                  • Verify port forwarding rule is enabled
                  • Check internal IP address in port forwarding matches server
                  • Confirm Windows Firewall allows port 80
                  • Test from truly external network (not VPN or same ISP)
                  • Contact ISP to verify they're not blocking port 80

                  Lost Internet Connection After Configuration

                  Problem: Server has no internet access after setting static IP.

                  Solutions:

                  • Verify default gateway is correct
                  • Check DNS server addresses are correct
                  • Confirm subnet mask is correct
                  • Try using Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
                  • Revert to DHCP temporarily to verify network works

                  Next Steps

                  After configuring your static IP address:

                  1. Configure Windows Firewall to allow web traffic
                  2. Set up your domain name to point to your static IP
                  3. Configure SSL certificate for secure connections
                  4. Test access from multiple external locations
                  5. Document your configuration for future reference

                  Related Topics

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