Ip Address Conflict: Easy Tip to Deal With It!

In a network IP Address Conflict is common and irritating problem. When a layman faces this problem normally they go for finding IP conflict Resolver software or script to solve the problem. But when curious person or network professionals like me face this problem, he/she may want to understand and go deeper taking it as opportunity to learn the case (unless you are in hurry). So, here I will be giving you few tips on the steps forward in very simple language.
First let me introduce you to IP Conflict as a formality, when two of your PC, Printer or any other device in the network claim to have same IP address ( e.g. Computer A and B both are showing same IP Address as current IP address ), that means you have IP Address conflict which is reported by system as : -
“The system has detected an IP Address conflict”,
“Windows System Error: IP Address Conflict with another system”,
“The system has detected an IP address conflict with another system on the network. Network operations on this system may be disrupted as a result. More details are available in the system event log. Consult your network administrator immediately to resolve the conflict”, etc.
In such condition system stops performing or performances very badly on the network. When you are getting this error first time, don’t ignore and simply write the exact string. Now try to release or renew IP, with command ipconfig /(release/renew), If you simply get another IP the problem is gone.
But if you still face the problem then find out the IP address that is causing the problem. Identify the conflicting devices. Identify the MAC Address of both devices. When you find the PC other than yours that is creating the problem, change its Static IP Address to outside the DHCP Range to a unique one. But if you don’t have access to that device or don’t know its MAC Address then start command prompt, type “ping –a ”. The device will return the device name, if it is windows compatible device. It can be helpful to identify the problem creating device.
If you only have MAC address of your device that is reporting the conflict error message, then use command in command prompt “arp –a ” (replace the with the IP Address) It will display the ARP Cache for the IP Address until you get a response other than MAC Address of same device.
Now you can continue with changing static IP Address to outside the DHCP Range to a unique one.
If you simply want to give a try to release or renew IP with script, following is the VB script for you:
’the script code begins here.
On Error Resume Next
Dim oBConfig
Set oBConfig = GetObject("winmgmts:Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration)
If oBConfig.ReleaseDHCPLeaseAll = 1 Then
MsgBox "IP address was Successfully Released!"
Else
MsgBox "Release was not successful!"
End If
If oBConfig.RenewDHCPLeaseAll = 1 Then
MsgBox "IP address was Successfully renewed!"
Else
MsgBox "Renew was not successful!"
End If
Set oBConfig = Nothing
’the script code Ends here.
Execute it as VB script inside a vbs file. (Note: Vbs file is simply a text file, which executes VB Script)
Author Abijah is Network Professional working in this field since 2002. And he has recently started writing articles online as volunteer.