Why does my router keep releasing my IP address?

[vetteguy]

Over the weekend I got a new router for my DSL connection (a Netgear FVS318) because I wanted to be able to use the VPN features. I haven't set up VPN yet, but I wanted to first try it with some other port forwarding applications. So I set it up to forward to my web server, FTP server, and SSH server. While I was at home, it was working fine, and I had a friend successfully connect with all three from outside. I then came to work, and none of them worked at all. I thought maybe that by some chance my DSL IP address had changed (it hasn't in months but you never know) so when I got home last night I checked it and sure enough it had. So I made a note of the new one to try for later. I went away from my computer for a little while, and when I came back it had already released my IP, so when I went out to the internet I got a new one yet again. I found a setting for DSL timeout, which was set to 5 minutes. My Linksys router never had this setting, so I didn't know exactly what it did, but I assumed it meant that if I didn't do anything over the connection for 5 minutes it would disconnect from the DSL modem. I set it to its maximum (255) in hopes that would help. This morning before I went to work I checked the address, and it had changed yet again. But, since I had the timeout so high, I assumed that it would hold the address until I got to work (which is less than 10 minutes away). When I got here, I tried to connect, and sure enough nothing happened. I was told that there was no response from anything on that address. So here's my question: How do I get it to not disconnect? I can't believe that a DSL router which is built for VPN would make it mandatory to disconnect everytime you walk away from it. If that's the case, how in the hell is anyone ever supposed to connect from the outside? With my Linksys router, I had the same address for literally months, because it would never disconnect. This is really chapping me this morning, so if anyone knows a solution it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[vetteguy]

Nevermind...I found a site which listed this as a known issue, and it recommended a firmware upgrade. Will try that when I get home tonight.

 

[JackBurton]

Hey vetteguy, what settings do you need to change to hold onto your IP. I have a Linksys router connected to my cable modem and I keep getting a different IP every other day. :|

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Hey vetteguy, what settings do you need to change to hold onto your IP. I have a Linksys router connected to my cable modem and I keep getting a different IP every other day. :|

On my Linksys, I think there was an option which allowed you to either have a timeout (where it would release and renew) or have it always stay connected. I'd have to fire up the router to double-check.