Networks IP conflict error and Homeplug not connecting

I have the occasional issue with either my sons, homeplug adaptor, my laptop(wireless connection) or my pc (wired direct) not connecting.

My sons homeplug adaptor just loses connection full stop and my pc and laptop come up with an IP conflict error.

Now I'm pretty useless with networking so can anyone tell me why this happens and also if it is possible to allocate invidual IP addresses for each piece of equipment in the home? This may be problematic as we have over 20 pieces of hardware that connect through the router, wired wirelessly and homeplug.

I should also mention that all home plugs are plugged directly into the wall and my wifes and my daughters homeplug adaptors are functioning fine. I doubt it's a faulty homeplug adaptor as I have a spare and tested with it.

 

You can set static IP's on things fairly easily or use reservations from the DHCP server.
If devices are used outside the home reservations are much better.

 

Is that in the router setup?

 

Depending on your router it's usually in the DHCP or LAN section. You'll need the MAC addresses of the devices to bind them to the IP's

If you do static's then you do it on each device.

 

Okay that sounds doable.

Do the homeplugs have mac addresses?

 

homeplugs don't need IP's usually, they're just media converters

 

That's what I was thinking but thought I'd ask just to make sure.

 

I don't seem to have the required options

Edit.......... I have found a DHCP table with a drop down box listing all the available IP addresses and a blank section to type in the mac address so is this where I would enter the mac address to link each IP address.

 

It should be