192.168.1.106 is a private IPv4 address. It’s one of 65,534 private addresses from the reserved block of private addresses inside class C (192.168.0.0/16 subnetwork). All these addresses are used inside private networks and can’t be routed on the internet. These addresses can be assigned to routers, modems, and other networking devices as well as PCs, laptops, phones connected to home and corporate networks.
192.168.1.106 also belongs to a smaller 192.168.1.0/24 subnetwork. The most popular addresses from this subnetwork are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.10, 192.168.1.100, and 192.168.1.254. They are not better or worse than 192.168.1.106 in any way but they get assigned to modems and routers as default gateways much more often. That doesn’t mean that 192.168.1.106 cannot be used in the future as a default gateway. Still, at the moment, 192.168.1.106 is not a common default gateway.
It’s more likely to see this address assigned to your PC or some other device connected to your home network. 192.168.1.106 can be assigned automatically or manually.
192.168.1.106 – Automatic Assignment (Dynamic IP)
If your router’s default gateway is one of the previously mentioned default gateways, there’s a great chance that 192.168.1.106 will be one of the available addresses inside the DHCP pool. Even if it’s not inside the pool, you can make a simple change in the router’s configuration panel and include this or any other address.
Let’s assume that your router’s default gateway is 192.168.1.100 and that the DHCP pool includes all the addresses from 192.168.1.101 to 192.168.1.200. So, 192.168.1.106 is inside this range and can be assigned to some device. If the addresses are assigned sequentially (which is not always the case), 192.168.1.106 will be assigned to the 6th device connected to your home network.
If the address is assigned automatically to some device, it’s not permanently assigned. The address is only leased for a certain period of time (lease time) and after this time expires, the router will check if the device is still connected. If it is connected, the lease will be renewed. If it’s disconnected, the license will be brought back to the DHCP pool. This address can now be assigned to some other device. That’s why all the automatically assigned addresses are considered dynamic IP addresses.
192.168.1.106 – Manual Assignment (Static IP)
If you want this address (or any other IP address) permanently assigned to your device, you have to assign it to that device manually. That way, you will exclude the address from the pool of available addresses and make it unavailable. The address will not be assigned to some other device even if your device is not connected. In order to assign the address manually, you can make a reservation in the DHCP pool (through the router’s configuration page) or make a few changes in the TCP/IPv4 settings on your computer.
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.
Anthony, you appear to have a firm grasp on technical support issues and are able to succinctly convey instructions on applying solutions. I have a very unique set of problems revolving around my wifi/router and my ISP.
I have a number of questions and would very much like to “pick your brain” and share with you some of the strange circumstances I’ve experienced. Hope we can chat soon. Thank you;
Victor Vienna