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Although the assignment of IP numbers seems to be a purely software
activity, when you have a computer that is connecting to more than one
network or subnetwork, then it's very important to know which network
is connecting to which NIC.
If you assign an IP number to an NIC that is not in the valid range of
IP numbers for the subnet that you're physically connected to, then your
bits aren't gonna get to where they need to go!
The diagram above shows an IP address of 25.122.7.33
assigned to NIC #1, which is physically connected to the cable
modem, which is part of the 25.122.7 subnet of the cable company.
IP 192.168.0.1 is assigned to NIC #2, which creates the
192.168.0 subnet. The cable connected to NIC #2 then goes
to a 10baseT hub. NIC #3 & #4 (any any others connected
to this hub) are assigned addresses in the 192.168.0.X range.
This diagram shows the same physical setup, except the IP address assignments
for NIC1 and 2 have been swapped. Although this won't work, it's
easy enough to fix. Either swap the cables connected to NIC #1 and
#2 or swap the IP address assignments.... but don't do both!
