Vista - gaming lag after creating a static ip

Question

Using a W54G but my problem is with my wired computer
Recently I have had friends not being able to find the server I create for a game we play called Rainbow Six Vegas. For what it's worth these same friends were connecting a week ago when it was under dhcp and I haven't changed a thing.  So I went into Network properties in Vista and set my computer to be a static ip.  I also had the specific ports forwarded for the game so then I went into my router firmware and made sure the ports were open for the new static ip I had created.  Now my friends can join my server. However, there seems to be a slight lag even with a small amount of people playing in my server.
Am I supposed to disable DHCP in the router setup.  and if I do, will my wife's computer be able to connect through wireless?  Why am I gettin lag?
If I switch back to DHCP the lag is gone but no one can connect to my server. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Are you using legal fixed (static) LAN IP addresses?  Linksys has specific rules about assigning fixed LAN IP addresses.
Rules for using fixed LAN IP addresses on Linksys routers:
With Linksys routers, a fixed (static) LAN IP addresses must be assigned in the device that is using the address. So you need to enter the fixed address in the computer or printer, not in the router.
When using a Linksys router, any fixed LAN IP address must be outside the DHCP server range (typically 192.168.1.100 thru 192.168.1.149), and it cannot end in 0, 1, or 255.
Therefore any fixed LAN IP address would normally need to be in the range of
192.168.1.2 thru 192.168.1.99 or
192.168.1.150 thru 192.168.1.254
assuming you are still using the default DHCP server range.
Also, in the computer, when you set up a static LAN IP address, you would need to set the "Subnet mask" to 255.255.255.0 and the "Default Gateway" to 192.168.1.1
It is also important that no two devices on your network be set to the same static LAN IP address.
Check all of your static LAN IP addresses. If you have violated any of the above rules for static LAN IP addresses, it could be the cause for your problem, and you should fix it before attempting any other router repairs or changes.
Also note that you can mix both "fixed" and DHCP addresses on the same network at the same time.  Generally a server would have a fixed LAN IP address.   If the game is completely played on your LAN (i.e. no Internet connection needed to play the game), then the game computers can probably be connected to your router using a DHCP address  (check the game manual to be sure).   If the game is played using your Internet connection, then the game computers will most likely need to be assigned fixed LAN IP addresses.
Generally, I recommend leaving the DHCP server turned on, and preferably set to its default DHCP server range.  This allows additional users to be added "at will", using the default configuration found on most computers.  And this is also the way the router was designed to be used.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 05-29-200701:40 AM