DHCP assigned the same IP address to 2 computers (VM's)

Hi folks

I'm not sure how it happened but with Windows Networking -- anything seems possible -- Black Magic is easier to fathom out.

I did a few "Clone discs" and used essentially on identical hardware on different machines.

One machine just would not connect -- and also a VM on it wouldn't either or wouldn't even display workgroups folder.

With various ifconfig / ipconfig commands (windows / Linux) I saw that two machines had identical IP addresses assigned -- I wonder if it was cloning the HDD's etc got the MAC id's hosed up. Both Machines had identical hardware BTW.

Anyway I deleted all the fixed leases to the router, re-set the lease times and re-booted the whole network -- working fine now.

I thought Windows couldn't use an IP address if it was already being used -- looks like there's also something in the Router's DHCP server as well -- The computers had different Netbios names.

The Wonders of Windows Networking !!!!!!

I'm not surprised many people have weird and wonderful defects on Windows Networking

Like the old US color TV standard (NTSC --Never twice the same color) I think Windows networking also exhibits the same thing too -- even Gandalf the Wizard couldn't get this stuff to work regularly without having to reset and refresh everything.

Two people IMO destined for the fiery gates of that hot place

UK Railways - UK readers might understand this one -- Dr Beeching who ripped up 60% of the rail network with the consequence of hideous traffic jams today if you travel over there and the person who designed networking on Windows !!!!!!

I shoudn't have had to re-boot and re-set 18 devices to get this working again !! --maybe I didn't need to but I'm not a networking guru -- all I know that this - a bit desparate solution - worked.

Cheers
jimbo

If the PC's are cloned with same Mac address etc DHCP will see them as the same pc which they are you would have to change the Mac address

IP's are provided to the MAC address. If the address is the same, Windows gives you the IP back for that MAC address. Sounds like you have identical MAC addresses configured.