192.168.1.101 is a class C private IPv4 address. It’s one of 65,534 IP addresses that belong to the reserved block of private IP addresses within class C. Private IP addresses are used inside private networks (LAN) and can’t be routed on the internet. 192.168.1.101 is also one of 254 addresses within a smaller 192.168.1.0/24 subnetwork.
Some addresses that belong to this subnetwork are often used as default gateways (assigned to routers, modems, and other networking devices by the manufacturers). The most popular addresses within this subnetwork are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.10, 192.168.1.100, and 192.168.1.254.
192.168.1.101 is practically never used as a default gateway (which doesn’t mean that it cannot be used in the future). It is more likely to see this address assigned to some device connected to your home network if your router’s default gateway is one of the previously mentioned popular IP addresses from the 192.168.1.0/24 subnetwork. 192.168.1.101 can be assigned automatically (default assigning method) or manually.
192.168.1.101 – Automatic Assignment
Your home wi-fi router is programmed to assign (or rather lease) IP addresses automatically to devices connected to your home network. So, if your router’s default gateway is one of the popular IP addresses from the 192.168.1.0/24 subnetwork and if 192.168.1.101 is one of the addresses within the DHCP pool of available addresses (you can always change/extend the range of available addresses by making small changes in the DHCP settings), there’s a chance that 192.1681.1.101 will be assigned to some device connected to your network.
Let’s assume that your router’s default gateway is 192.168.1.100. If the DHCP pool starts at 192.168.1.101 (which is the next available address after 192.168.1.100) and if the addresses are assigned in a sequential order (which is not always the case), 192.168.1.101 will be assigned to the first device connected to your home network. This address won’t be permanently assigned to that device. It is only leased for a certain predefined period of time (called lease time). When the lease time expires, the router (which is, at the same time, your DHCP server) checks if the device is still connected. If the device is disconnected, the address gets back to the DHCP pool and can be assigned to some other device. That’s why all the automatically assigned addresses are called dynamic IP addresses.
192.168.1.101 – Manual Assignment
You can also assign this address permanently to some device (to your printer, for example) and make it static. In order to assign static IP to your computer, phone, or some other device, you can make some adjustments in the DHCP settings and reserve this address for your device. You can also make changes in the TCP/IPv4 settings without accessing your router’s configuration page. That way, this address won’t be available for other devices even if your device is not connected to the network.
Hello, I am Anthony Stuart…
I am writer and editor at RouterInstructions. I’ve been working as a network specialist for various employers for almost 15 years. In my lifetime, I have installed thousands of routers, modems, bridges, switches, etc. My job also includes designing, monitoring, and maintaining local area networks (LANs) as well as wide area networks (WANs). I want to share my knowledge and experience with you and help you understand the basics of IP addressing. I am also going to write about routers, network security, and other network-related topics.