Why the 10.0.0.2 IP Address Is Used

10.0.0.2 is an IP address found on many local computer networks, particularly business networks. Business-class network routers assigned 10.0.0.1 as their local gateway address typically are configured to support a subnet with client IP addresses starting at 10.0.0.2.

This same address is also the default local address for home broadband routers from Zoom, Edimax, Siemens, and Micronet.

Why 10.0.0.2 Is Popular

Internet Protocol (IP) version 4 defines certain sets of IP addresses as restricted for private use. You can't use these addresses for web servers or other internet hosts. The first and largest of these private IP address ranges begin with 10.0.0.0.

Corporate networks wanting flexibility in allocating a large number of IP addresses gravitated to using the 10.0.0.0 network as their default, with 10.0.0.2 as one of the first addresses assigned from that range.

Automatic Assignment of 10.0.0.2

Computers and other devices that support DHCP can receive their IP address automatically from a router. The router decides which address to assign from the DHCP pool.

Routers usually assign these pooled addresses in sequential order (though the order is not guaranteed). Therefore, 10.0.0.2 is commonly the first client's address on a local network that connects to the router-based at 10.0.0.1.

Manual Assignment of 10.0.0.2

Most modern network devices, including computers and game consoles, have a static IP address, in which their IP address is manually set.

To set the IP address manually, enter "10.0.0.2" into a network setting configuration screen on the device. You must configure the router to assign the address to that specific device, contingent on its physical MAC address.

However, simply entering these numbers does not guarantee a valid address for that device to use. The administrator must also configure the local router to include 10.0.0.2 in its supported address range.

Working With 10.0.0.2

To access a router with the IP address of 10.0.0.2, open the IP address as a regular URL by going to http://10.0.0.2.

Most networks assign private IP addresses like 10.0.0.2 dynamically using DHCP. Setting it to a device manually is also possible but not recommended due to the risk of IP address conflicts.

Routers cannot always recognize whether a given address in their pool has been assigned to a client manually. In the worst case, two devices on the network end up with the 10.0.0.2 address, resulting in failed connection issues for both.