it couldn't find any servers locally on my network, so I had to use my IP address. So when (not if) that IP changes I'll have to troubleshoot.
One workaround that I can think of is to use ip reservation to give your devices the same ip address whenever they connect. You might find that setting under DHCP on your router. Or just use a static ip on the server.
I'll try. Unfortunately my ISP showed up to connect my service and claimed I had to use their router so I'm a little stuck with whatever it can do
I’d be very surprised if it can’t do DHCP. If it still can’t, you could always find a cheap router to use as an access point and have DHCP that way.
In that case, you can ask your ISP to set their router to bridge-mode, to disable most of its features, before connecting your own router to it.
One workaround that I can think of is to use ip reservation to give your devices the same ip address whenever they connect. You might find that setting under DHCP on your router. Or just use a static ip on the server.
I'll try. Unfortunately my ISP showed up to connect my service and claimed I had to use their router so I'm a little stuck with whatever it can do
I’d be very surprised if it can’t do DHCP. If it still can’t, you could always find a cheap router to use as an access point and have DHCP that way.
In that case, you can ask your ISP to set their router to bridge-mode, to disable most of its features, before connecting your own router to it.