In a network with a small number of hosts, it is easy to manually configure each device with the proper IP address. A network administrator who understands IP addressing should assign the addresses and should know how to choose a valid address for a particular network. Thẻ IP address thật is assigned is unique for each host within the same network or subnet. This is known as static IP addressing. To configure a static IP address on a host, go to the TCP/IPv4 Properties window of the NIC, as shown in Figure 6-10. The NIC enables a computer to connect to a network using a MAC address. Whereas the IP address is a logical address that is defined by the network administrator, a MAC address, or physical address, as shown in Figure 6-11, is permanently programmed (or burned in) into the NIC when it is manufactured. Thẻ IP address of a NIC can be changed, but the MAC address never changes.